If you’re planning on getting a tattoo any time soon, make sure you’re wary about the ink your artist is using. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered micro-organisms that can cause serious skin infections in several popular tattoo inks. In a statement about the findings, the FDA said: “Tattoo inks contaminated with microorganisms can cause infections and lead to serious health injuries when injected into the skin during a tattooing procedure, since there is an increased risk of infection any time the skin barrier is broken.” During inspections, the FDA discovered the harmful bacteria in six tattoo inks that were manufactured or distributed by four firms.
The affected inks are the Scalpaink SC, Scalpaink PA, and Scalpaink AL basic black tattoo inks, the Dynamic Colour Black tattoo ink (lots 12024090 and 12026090), and the Solid Ink-Diablo (red) tattoo ink. If these inks are used, they can lead to some pretty grim side effects, including rashes and lesions of red papules, as well as permanent scarring.
Based on the findings, the FDA is urging consumers to be wary about the ink their tattoo artist is using. It added: “Ask the tattoo artist or studio about the tattoo inks they use and avoid the tattoo inks listed above, due to risk of infection and injury.”