Safety Warning: 35% of Tattoo Inks Tested Positive for Harmful Bacteria

[Grim Reaper 6]

Our findings reveal that unopened and sealed tattoo inks can harbor anaerobic bacteria, known to thrive in low-oxygen environments like the dermal layer of the skin, alongside aerobic bacteria,” said corresponding author Seong-Jae (Peter) Kim, Ph.D., a microbiologist with the Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Ark. “This suggests that contaminated tattoo inks could be a source of infection from both types of bacteria. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring these products for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including possibly pathogenic microorganisms.”.

https://scitechdaily.com/safety-warning-35-of-tattoo-inks-tested-positive-for-harmful-bacteria/.

Detection of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria from commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.00276-24

[Occupational Hubris]

I have lots of tattoos and no issues yet. I'm gonna keep getting them. 

[the13bats]

My dad passed 2014 at 89 was navy and had a lot of tats some were old school he never had any issues and his were done when hepatitis was a big tattoo risk,

I dont have any but most people i know do and in 30 plus years ive only heard one girl claim she got an infection but was that the artists fault or hers?

[Grim Reaper 6]

1 hour ago, Occupational Hubris said:

I have lots of tattoos and no issues yet. I'm gonna keep getting them. 

I also have some tattoos, and like you I may get more. From my point of view, it’s a question of getting one’s tattoos from a reputable artist that monitors their ink stock. It seems that only certain inks are contaminated, so as long as the lot numbers are monitored for recalls there should be no problem. However, on the flip side it only takes one bad decision to cause oneself a great deal of unnecessary pain so using a reputable artist is critical.

[Grim Reaper 6]

2 minutes ago, the13bats said:

My dad passed 2014 at 89 was navy and had a lot of tats some were old school he never had any issues and his were done when hepatitis was a big tattoo risk,

I dont have any but most people i know do and in 30 plus years ive only heard one girl claim she got an infection but was that the artists fault or hers?

You make a good point, but the possibility of infection from contaminated ink appears to be a new problem. Like I said in a previous post choosing a reputable artist that monitors the inks lot numbers should solve the problem outlined in the OP article.

[the13bats]

21 minutes ago, Grim Reaper 6 said:

You make a good point, but the possibility of infection from contaminated ink appears to be a new problem. Like I said in a previous post choosing a reputable artist that monitors the inks lot numbers should solve the problem outlined in the OP article.

I got piercings and was a neurotic pita to the people doing it but never any issues.

[Still Waters]

Related:

 

[Occupational Hubris]

50 minutes ago, Grim Reaper 6 said:

I also have some tattoos, and like you I may get more. From my point of view, it’s a question of getting one’s tattoos from a reputable artist that monitors their ink stock. It seems that only certain inks are contaminated, so as long as the lot numbers are monitored for recalls there should be no problem. However, on the flip side it only takes one bad decision to cause oneself a great deal of unnecessary pain so using a reputable artist is critical.

I trust both my artists. The only issue i ever had was a tattoo healing a little rough, but it was on the inside of my elbow, so it was likely my fault for, you know, daring to bend my arm after having a needle jammed into thousands of times. Long term it healed up great, though. 

[Grim Reaper 6]

10 minutes ago, Occupational Hubris said:

I trust both my artists. The only issue i ever had was a tattoo healing a little rough, but it was on the inside of my elbow, so it was likely my fault for, you know, daring to bend my arm after having a needle jammed into thousands of times. Long term it healed up great, though. 

That’s all that counts, sounds like your set with your artists.

Edited August 8 by Grim Reaper 6

[Grim Reaper 6]

35 minutes ago, the13bats said:

I got piercings and was a neurotic pita to the people doing it but never any issues.

That’s cool, I bet they had their hands full with you!