
83% of tattoo inks tested in a recent study were found to contain ingredients not listed on the label, many of which were ingredients that pose serious health risks. Tattoo ink faces no regulation in the United States, leaving consumers in danger.
In 2022, Congress passed the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, giving the FDA the power to regulate tattoo inks — but the organization hasn’t introduced any sort of regulation on tattoo inks, only publishing a few unenforced guidelines.
Tattoo inks are regulated in the US by the Food & Drug Administration, but this regulatory activity is not generally exercised. In the EU, there is no regulation about tattoo inks.
Manufacturers are not required to reveal their ingredients or conduct trials.— Cristina D. del Arco (@crisdelarco) April 17, 2021
In America, tattoo artists need a license and must practice strict sanitation practices, but ink manufacturers don’t have to disclose the ingredients in their inks. The inks aren’t even required to be sterile, meaning that inks can potentially carry dangerous pathogens without tattoo artists’ knowledge.
This phenomenon isn’t unique to tattoo inks, however. The U.S. government is notoriously lax on regulation for any sort of cosmetics or supplements. The majority of lipsticks on the market contain unsafe levels of lead, and companies manufacturing vitamin supplements face little to no regulation at all.
Tattoo inks can be especially dangerous, however, because they’re injected directly into the skin, and stay there for an extended period of time. Not only is the chance of severe complications due to infection and allergic reactions high, chemicals in the ink have the potential to break down into far more dangerous substances over time.
Of the 54 inks tested in the study, 45 contained ingredients not listed on the label.
More than half of the samples contained unlisted polyethylene glycol, which can cause kidney failure. Another chemical present in the samples was 2-phenoxyethanol, which can potentially cause lung and liver irritation, as well as kidney and nerve damage.
One of the study’s authors, John Swierk, spoke about the study in an interview. “Every time we looked at one of the inks, we found something that gave me pause,” Swierk says. “For example, 23 of 56 different inks analyzed to date suggest an azo-containing dye is present.”
The American Chemical Society says that bacteria or ultraviolet light can degrade these azo pigments into another nitrogen-based compound that is a potential carcinogen.
There are lots of other risks commonly associated with tattoos, but this research into tattoo inks may come as a surprise to consumers who may have previously felt comfortable with tattoos from a licensed tattoo artist.
While it’s important for consumers to do their own research, the high concentrations of undisclosed chemicals make that nearly impossible for those without access to sophisticated lab equipment. Until the FDA gets the tattoo ink industry under control, your favorite tattoo artist won’t be able to guarantee your safety.