The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding certain tattoo inks that may pose a serious health risk due to contamination. This alert is aimed at both tattoo artists and their clients to ensure safety during tattoo procedures.

Identified Contaminants

Recent FDA inspections have revealed that at least two specific tattoo inks were found to contain harmful bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Such contamination can lead to severe infections when these inks are applied onto the skin.

Health Implications

The FDA emphasizes that tattoo inks contaminated with pathogenic bacteria can potentially result in infections and serious health injuries. This risk significantly increases whenever the skin barrier is penetrated during tattooing.

Individuals affected by tattoo-related infections may experience symptoms such as:

• Rashes or lesions with red papules at the tattoo site
• Possible permanent scarring from severe infections

The FDA cautions that the symptoms of these infections can be easily mistaken for other conditions, such as allergic reactions, which may lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.

Contaminated Products

Two specific inks identified by the FDA as contaminated are:

• Sacred Tattoo Ink, Raven Black: CI# 77266; Lot#: RB0624; Best Before: June 28, 2027
• Sacred Tattoo Ink, Sunny Daze: CI# 21095; Lot#: SD1124; Best Before: November 1, 2027

Recommendations for Consumers

The FDA advises anyone considering a tattoo to proactively inquire about the inks used by the tattoo artist or studio. To reduce the risk of infection, it is crucial to avoid the inks listed above.

Healthcare professionals and consumers experiencing any adverse effects related to tattoos are encouraged to report these incidents to the FDA through their SmartHub reporting system. More details can be found on the FDA’s official website.