‘Dangerous Tattoos’: FDA Warns of Potential Risks from Contaminated Inks

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The world of tattoos and permanent makeup has received an alarming warning from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)A recent investigation by the organization revealed that there were sealed jars of tattoo and makeup inkincluding several labeled as sterile, which They contained millions of potentially dangerous bacteria.

Sung Jae (Peter) Kimmicrobiologist FDA National Center for Toxicology Research in Jefferson, argued that as a result of the research findings, it is important to maintain ongoing surveillance of these products to “to ensure the microbial safety of tattoo inks”The study, led by Kim, was published in the journal. Applied and environmental microbiology.

As published cnn, Linda Katzco-author of the study and director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, explained that tattoo ink contaminated may cause serious infections and injuriesbecause it is injected deep into the skin where some bacteria can grow.

In an email (accessed by these media outlets), Katz indicated that the ink contained pathogens or other harmful substances. can move from the injection site through the blood and lymphatic system. to other parts of the body. Hence its danger.

Systemic dissemination of these bacteria can lead to complications such as endocarditisinflammation of the lining of the heart or septic shockthe most serious stage of sepsis, which can cause multiple organ failure. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarifies that if not treated quickly, sepsis can cause tissue damage, organ failure and death.

Tattoo ink infections can also cause other symptoms. Generally, the most common are rash at the injection site, impetigo (highly contagious bacterial skin infection), mug (bright red, painful rash on the skin) and cellulite (a deep skin infection that requires antibiotic treatment). Those with large or multiple tattoos are more likely to be exposed to contaminated ink.

John SwirkAssociate Professor of the Department of Chemistry Binghamton University, New Yorkstressed that contamination of tattoo inks is a common problem due to lack of a standard, agreed upon method for sterilizing ink“Our work and the current study really highlight must have production processes standardized and are suitable for the entire tattoo ink industry,” Swirk said in an email to the magazine. CNN.

In its turn, Selina MedinaDirector of Research for the Alliance of Professional Tattoo Artists, said the tattoo industry is increasingly working with regulatory authorities in order to ensure compliance with safety regulationsIn this sense, he assures that many manufacturers today are investing in advanced sterilization technologies and are concerned about improving their production conditions in order to reduce the risk of contamination.

Although the names of the brands were not disclosed, it is known that during the investigation 75 samples of printed paints were analyzed. for tattoos and permanent makeup sold in the US for 14 manufacturersThere, researchers discovered that 35% of samples had some level of bacterial contamination.Some of these samples contained up to 100,000 bacteria per gram, the amount that should be absent, according to Dr. Robert Schooleyinfectious disease specialist.

Besides bacteria, tattoos are also associated with transmission of viral infections, including Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIVThe fact that so many inks failed bacterial sterility tests suggests that other organisms, such as viruses and fungi, may also be present.

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