Getting a tattoo is a popular method of self-expression, but it also comes with some health risks. Some hazards are well-known, such as parlors with unsanitary practices and adverse effects of improper aftercare, but perhaps less known is that the ink itself could pose problems. Understanding the current concerns and risks about tattoo ink will help you make a better-informed decision about decorating your body.
New Concerns
State and local authorities are in charge of overseeing the practice of tattooing, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, regulates the ink and ink pigments used in tattoos. However, the FDA hasn’t traditionally regulated these inks or the pigments used in tattoo inks because it spent more time and effort on other public health issues, and it didn’t have sufficient evidence to suggest any safety concerns. Due to recent reports of bad skin reactions, the FDA announced in 2009 that it had begun to engage in further studies in regards to the safety of tattoo ink.
Risks
One known risk associated with tattoo ink is allergies to various pigments in permanent and temporary tattoos, according to the FDA. The Mayo Clinic mentions that red dye, in particular, has been linked to allergic skin reactions such as itchy rashes at the tattoo site. Moreover, it mentions that an allergy may not manifest until years after the tattoo is created. Another risk is the possibility of forming granulomas, or small bumps or knots, which can form around what the body perceives as foreign materials. In the case of tattoos, pigment particles may be perceived as a foreign contaminant, says the FDA.
Other Suspected Risks
One rare condition associated with tattoo ink is a nonallergic immune reaction to certain tattoo ink dyes, according to Health Services at Columbia. Additionally, although tattoos and tattoo ink haven’t been directly linked with cancer, darker tattoo ink colors can cause skin cancers such as melanoma to be more difficult to identify, says Health Services at Columbia.
Future Study
Due to the FDA’s concerns over tattoo ink, as of 2010, research chemist Paul Howard, Ph.D. is leading a team within the FDA’s Arkansas-based National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) laboratory to uncover new information. What the team hopes to find out includes: the long- and short-term safety of tattoo ink pigments, the chemical composition of these inks and how the body breaks them down and how the body responds to the interaction of inks and light, says the FDA.
Considerations
The FDA has yet to approve any pigments for injection into the skin; some of these color additives are approved for use in cosmetic items, but some have never been approved for contact with the skin whatsoever. In fact, some of them have been used for printers’ ink and vehicle paint, says the FDA. Also, consider any tattoo art to be a permanent fixture on your body, as methods to remove them are typically costly and time-consuming, and not all of them are effective. If you do choose to remove the tattoo, the FDA recommends consulting your doctor and never using a “do-it-yourself” removal product.
Member Comments