Are Pigments Vegan & Halal?
Article by Gemma Hutchings | Date Published 18th October 2024
Yes Finishing Touches Pigments are Vegan but are they halal?
Statment from FTG's pigment manufactuer
All products in the organic and inorganic lines are free from ingredients of animal or human origin, nor do these products come in contact with animal products during the storage and transportation. These lines have been tested on human volunteers (no animal testing was performed).
This is the simple part of the question ....now let's move onto the concept of halal!
Someone asked me this question recently and my initial answer was "well they are vegan, so yes!" However, the actual answer is a little more complex and probably comes down to the individual having the treatment and deciding if they are happy to go ahead.
Why? Because pigments are suspended in a carrier and that carrier is normally alcohol.
Halal is an Arabic word that means "permissible" or "lawful". In the Islamic faith, it's used to describe actions and behaviors that are considered acceptable according to Islamic teachings. Halal is most often used in reference to food, drinks, and other products, but it can also refer to other aspects of life.
I have carryed out lots of research on this and here is what I have found. The permissibility of pigments/inks in Islam, including whether they are considered halal depends on several factors:
Ingredients: Micropigmentation/Tattoo pigments must not contain any ingredients that are haram (forbidden), such as alcohol derived from prohibited sources, animal-derived products like gelatin or fat from non-halal animals, or any impure substances.
Permanent /Semi Permanent: In most interpretations of Islamic law, permanent marking of the skin is not halal, regardless of the ink/pigment used. This is because permanent tattoos and long lasting micropigmentation are seen as altering the body, which is generally prohibited in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have cursed those who tattoo and those who are tattooed, making this a significant factor in the discussion.
Temporary Tattoos: Temporary or henna-based marking, do not alter the body permanently and are purely decorative, are generally considered permissible. The pigments used in these types of adornment, if halal, are acceptable.
Conclusion
Pigments are not considered halal due to the presence of alcohol, but ultimately, the decision to proceed with a treatment is a personal choice. Our responsibility is to provide clients/patients with all the necessary information, ensuring they have the time and knowledge to make an informed choice about proceeding to have long lasting ink/pigment put into their skin.
Interesting Fact!
In 2016, the European Council for Fatwa and Research ruled on the issue of SMP and its compliance with Islamic principles, concluding that it is permissible as a treatment for hair loss, as it is considered a remedy for an ailment.
As a result of this ruling it opens the question as to whether the treatment your client/patient is electing to havie is for restorative purposes or decorative adornment and therefore halal?
Sources of information
https://en.islamonweb.net/islamic-perspectives-on-tattoos-and-piercings
https://elegantsmp.com/scalp-micropigmentation-and-islamic-principles-halal-or-haram/
