Contaminated Tattoo Inks Raise Concerns in FDA Study 

Contaminated Tattoo Inks Raise Concerns in FDA Study. Credit | Getty Images
Contaminated Tattoo Inks Raise Concerns in FDA Study. Credit | Getty Images

United States: New research conducted by the Food and Drug Administration which reveals concerning findings about tattoo and permanent makeup inks.  

The study found that a significant and very major number of these products which includes some labelled as sterile, were contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria which can even tend to skin infection and mixing of infectious ink in your blood.  

High Contamination in Sterile-Labelled Inks 

As reported by News Channel 8, The FDA tested 75 inks from 14 different manufacturers and the names of these particular manufacturers have not been disclosed because of some privacy concerns and shockingly, 35% of the tested inks were found to be contaminated with bacteria.  

Contaminated Tattoo Inks Raise Concerns in FDA Study. Credit | Adobe Stock
Contaminated Tattoo Inks Raise Concerns in FDA Study. Credit | Adobe Stock

Notably, permanent makeup inks were more frequently contaminated compared to tattoo inks, raising alarms about potential health risks associated with these products. 

Half of the tested inks that are labelled as sterile but that particular designation did not make a difference when it really comes to finding contamination. 

Higher Risk in Permanent Makeup Inks 

The FDA study revealed that numerous tattoo and endless makeup inks, including some labelled as sterile, were defiled with bacteria similar as staphylococcus saprophyticus, staphylococcus epidermis, cutibacterium acnes, pseudomonas putida, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. 

These bacteria pose pitfalls to the roughly 32 of Americans with tattoos because the inks are fitted deep into the skin, potentially allowing infections to spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. 

Tattoo and the endless makeup inks that aren’t regulated by the FDA and though the agency has issued draft guidelines in 2023 that gave guidance on avoiding the impurity to the manufacturers. 

Health pitfalls and Safety Advice for Tattoo seekers 

In addition to speaking with a studio about safety practices, it’s also important to follow other after care practices including using antibacterial soap, appropriate healing ointments and avoiding swimming in pools, lakes, hot tubs or other bodies of water until the tattoo has fully healed.