According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a 2004 survey that polled people between the ages of 18 and 50, almost a quarter of respondents indicated that they had a tattoo. A few hours with a tattoo artist, and you too can sport a likeness of your favorite cartoon character, the name of a loved one or personal icon. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses that with every tattoo comes the risk of infection and reaction to the ink injected into your skin.
Tattooing and the FDA
By FDA standards, the inks used in tattoos and permanent makeup are cosmetics, and the pigments used in these inks are color additives. However, the FDA has not approved these pigments for intradermal injection, including pigments used for glow-in-the-dark tattoos and henna, which is approved for use only in hair coloring. According to the FDA, some of the pigments used in tattoo ink are industrial grade and more suitable for other purposes, such as painting cars and printing. Although tattooing has long been associated with dangers such as infection, the safety of tattoo inks is still unknown, the FDA states.
Potential Infections
Unsafe and unsanitary tattooing practices can lead to bacteria that cause skin infections and diseases that are a serious threat to your health, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA infections, are a concern associated with tattoos. The CDC reports an incidence of 44 tattoo recipients who received tattoos in Ohio, Kentucky and Vermont between 2004 and 2005 who contracted CA-MRSA because of unsanitary tattoo equipment and unsafe practices used by unlicensed tattoo artists, some of whom used guitar strings in lieu of needles and ink from printer cartridges rather than tattoo ink.
Tattoo Ink Cautions
Allergic reactions to tattoo ink are also problematic, says MayoClinic.com, particularly red pigment causing an itchy rash that can endure years after you get a tattoo. The FDA has received complaints from people who report that the skin around their tattoos becomes itchy and irritated whenever they get in the sun, prompting the need to investigate the safety of tattoo ink more thoroughly. According to the FDA, a team of researchers at the National Center for Toxicological Research is investigating tattoo ink to see how it metabolizes in the body and how it interacts with light as well as long- and short-term safety issues associated with the pigments used in tattoo ink.
Safe Tattooing
To protect yourself against infection, make sure your tattoo artist employs single-use, disposable tattoo needles, advises the CDC. The facility you choose should dispose of used needles in a container that's clearly labeled as containing biohazardous material. Your tattoo artist should wash his hands before putting on disposable gloves, which should be worn at all times while you're getting your tattoo. The CDC indicates that some tattooing equipment can be sterilized and reused—ask your tattoo artist if all reusable equipment being used is sanitary. Look for clean work areas, chairs, tables and counters that are disinfected between clients.
Tattoo Post-Care
Allow two weeks for your skin to heal after you get a tattoo, says MayoClinic.com. To avoid infection, leave bandaging in place for two days, and use an antibiotic cream or ointment on your skin. Make sure your tattoo is clean by lightly washing with soap and water and patting your skin dry. Keep out of the sun for the first few weeks after you get your tattoo, and wear clothing that doesn't cling or stick to the area. Avoid picking at scabs. If you notice an infection—inflammation, redness and oozing—or other signs that your skin isn't healing correctly, contact your doctor immediately.
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