1. WHY HAS SWISS COLOR LAUNCHED NEW PIGMENTS?
Since January 1, 2022, we have been selling only pigments that comply with ECHA´s latest REACH regulation.
When developing a new series of 10 iron oxide-containing pigments in June 2023, we benefited from new findings from previous years. The REACH regulation had reduced the permitted ingredients for organic and inorganic pigments to safe ones without toxic properties. An extended study by two major European universities had confirmed that PMU and tattoo inks pose no risk to patients undergoing MRI. New production technologies have enabled us to develop improved pigments that are optimized for PMU purposes. We can now present new iron oxide pigments with the Swiss Color promise of safety and high quality.
2. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IRON OXIDE IN PIGMENTS?
The new Swiss Color iron oxide pigments contain synthetically processed iron oxides. Their purified particles are selected in the perfect particle size so that they are not removed by the immune system and do not clog the lymph nodes. Optimized for PMU purposes, these iron oxides meet the requirements of the current version of the REACH regulation and offer the following benefits:
- Powdery, matte colors
- Fresh pastel & nude looks
- High opacity
- High stability
- Intermixability with our existing range of pigments
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORGANIC, INORGANIC, HYBRID AND BLENDED PIGMENTS?
This answer fills entire articles and scientific papers. In short, organic pigments consist of carbon compounds. They are either of natural origin, such as plant or animal materials, or are produced synthetically. Inorganic Pigments, on the other hand, contain metal oxides or sulfides, either derived from soil and minerals or produced synthetically. Both are cleaner and have consistent quality, when manufactured synthetically. Since REACH, pigments that comply with the regulation can be assumed not to contain toxic ingredients.
“Hybrid pigment” is a fashionable term for mixtures of organic and inorganic pigments. At Swiss Color we refer to these pigments as “blends”.
4. WERE THE SWISS COLOR PIGMENTS ALL ORGANIC BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF IRON OXIDE PIGMENTS?
No. Our palette did not contain iron oxide pigments, but it was still a mixture of organic, inorganic and mixed colors.
With the exception of 101 White, our base pigments were purely organic pigments. The only way to get a white pigment is to use titanium dioxide, an inorganic metal oxide. Our eyeliner pigments are made from carbon black. Although the name contains the word carbon, which indicates an organic origin, it is classified as inorganic due to its properties. All other Swiss Color pigments from 2022 onwards were mixtures (blends) of organic and inorganic substances, but without iron oxide.
701 Wild Rose and 702 Passion Rose are blends of organic pigments and iron oxides.
5. HOW ABOUT RED/ORANGE HEALING WITH IRON-OXIDE PIGMENTS?
While organic pigments tend to heal grayish or bluish, iron oxide pigments tend to fade reddish or orange. Thanks to the refining process of our synthetically produced colors, the pronounced orange-red eyebrows of the past, due to old, impure iron oxide colors, are eliminated. Our new Swiss Color pigments fade more stably when properly homogenized, thoroughly incorporated and well matched to the skin type.
6. WHY ARE PIGMENTS WITH IRON OXIDE STILL DESCRIBED AS "FREE OF HEAVY METALS"?
Although iron is a heavy metal, the designation “free from heavy metals” on pigments usually refers to the absence of harmful or toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium. Iron oxide is generally considered safe and non-toxic, when used in pigment form. Swiss Color pigments are certified. We use selected, isolated particles of synthetically processed, optimized and purified iron oxide.
7. CAN ALL SWISS COLOR PIGMENTS BE MIXED WITH EACH OTHER?
Yes. We have managed to create the pigment consistency so that they are all mixable with each other! This means that all colors can be adapted to individual skin types and skin needs.
8. ARE SWISS COLOR PIGMENTS SUITABLE FOR ALL PERMANENT MAKE UP AND MICROBLADING TECHNIQUES?
All Swiss Color pigments are of course suitable for all PMU, Paramedical and Microblading techniques. The pigments can be used pure or mixed. We were the first company in the industry to offer helping agents for optimizing our pigments in their consistency. With the 901 Pigment Solution, 902 Pigment Performer, 903 Pigment Vitalizer and 904 Pigment Sealer, every stylist can realize his/her individual artistic way of pigmenting.
9. WHAT DOES REACH COMPATIBLE AND ECHA COMPLIANT MEAN?
REACH is a chemicals regulation that came into force in the EU on 1 June 2007. The abbreviation "REACH" is made up of the following individual terms: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals.
ECHA stands for "European Chemicals Agency". The European Chemicals Agency is responsible for the management of all chemicals data under the REACH Regulation and the authorisation of substances of very high concern. In addition, it must ensure consistency at Community level.