Thick Pigments? Poor Retention? Let’s Fix That!

May 29, 2025

If you've ever opened a bottle of PMU pigment and thought, "Why is this one so thick? Is something wrong?", you're not alone. In Episode 103 of the Tatter-a-Fact Podcast, Teryn Darling and her wife (and business partner) Kat sit down to tackle two of the most common questions artists ask:

Why are some pigments thicker than others?
Why am I not getting good retention?

Let’s break it all down!

Why Some Pigments Are Thicker Than Others

Not all pigments are created equal — and not all pigments have the same viscosity (aka thickness). Especially in the Li Pigments Aqua Line, you might notice that shades like Beautiful Blonde and Hazelnut feel way thicker than deeper tones like Dark Toffee or Classic Brown.

Here’s why:

1. Yellow Molecules Are Water Hogs

Yellow colorants act like little sponges in the pigment bottle, soaking up water and thickening the formula. Shades with higher yellow content (like blondes and mid-tones) naturally have a thicker consistency.

2. Li Pigments = Minimal Ingredient Philosophy

To keep the risk of allergic reactions low, Li Pigments avoids unnecessary additives. They could thin every pigment down with a chemical agent — but they don’t. Because safety > convenience.

3. Highly Concentrated Formulas

Stronger pigment = more colorant powder packed into each bottle. More powder = more thickness. It’s science! 🎓

The EASY Fix: Use Soft FX

Stop struggling with thick pigments. Just add a drop (or two) of OMG Soft FX — our dilution solution formulated to work with ANY pigment line.

💧Thins pigments instantly
🙌 Won’t weaken healed results
🧪 Safe, sterile, and lasts forever

Shop Soft FX here: https://store.girlzink.com/products/soft-fx-pigment-dilution

Pro Tip: If you're counting drops of pigment (like 5-6), be extra conservative with Soft FX. But if you're filling a full cap? Go ahead and add that drop or two.

Why You Might Be Losing Retention

Retention issues are EVERYWHERE right now. And here’s the truth bomb: it's probably not your pigment line. It's your technique.

The 2 Biggest Factors:

Too Shallow (Depth)
Too Light (Saturation)

A lot of new artists are being taught to tattoo in the epidermis only or to use ultra-light hand pressure. Why? Because they’re trying to avoid over-saturation and long-term color issues from carbon black pigments.

But when you switch to an inorganic pigment line like Aqua, those light-handed, shallow techniques don’t implant enough pigment.

Here's What You Can Do:

Slightly increase machine speed (from 4 to 5.5, for example)
Use a larger needle configuration (like 3RL instead of a single)
Focus on building up saturation without going too deep

Remember: There is a learning curve when transitioning between organic, hybrid, and inorganic lines. But it’s 100% doable.

Course Recommendation:

🎓 Master Your Healed-In Results (COMING SOON!) This upcoming course from Teryn will help you:

Perfect your healed brow saturation
Understand how pigment types affect retention
Learn saturation strategies with visuals, demos, and healed pics

Explore all online PMU courses: https://www.girlzinktraining.com/

Watch the Full Episode:

Tatter-a-Fact Podcast: Episode 103 "Thick Pigments? Poor Retention? Let’s Fix That! | TAF #103"

FAQs

Q: Can I use Soft FX with pigments from other brands?
A: Yes! It was formulated to work with any pigment line.

Q: How much Soft FX should I use?
A: For a full cap of pigment, use 1–2 drops. For 5–6 drops of pigment, start with ½ drop.

Q: Will thinning my pigment reduce retention?
A: Not unless you use too much. Up to 25% Soft FX per cap won't negatively impact healed results.

Q: Are Li Pigments hybrid or inorganic?
A: Aqua is a hybrid — predominantly inorganic, with a touch of organic (like yellow).

Q: I switched from carbon pigments to Aqua and now my retention sucks. What gives?
A: That’s the learning curve! Aqua requires slightly more pressure and saturation than all-organic carbon lines.

Final Word

Working with thick pigments or facing poor healed-in results can be frustrating, but education is power. Don’t be afraid of the transition. Use Soft FX, tweak your technique, and stay committed to growth.

#GirlzInk #LiPigments #SoftFX #TatterAFact #PMUpigments #PMUretention #PowderBrows #PMUtraining #OMGSoftFX #AquaPigments #HealedResults