Tattoo artist (Getty Images)
(NewsNation) — A new study from the Food and Drug Administration has found that many tattoo and permanent makeup inks are contaminated with potentially dangerous bacteria, including some that are labeled as sterile.
The agency tested 75 inks from 14 different manufacturers, whose names were not made public. The researchers found that 35% of the inks tested were contaminated with bacteria. Of the inks tested, permanent makeup inks were more likely to be contaminated than tattoo inks.
Half of the inks tested were labeled as sterile, but that designation made no difference when it came to detecting contamination.
The study tested aerobic bacteria, which need oxygen to grow, and anaerobic bacteria, which can thrive even in an oxygen-free environment. The bacteria found included Staphylococcus saprophyticus, which is a leading cause of urinary tract infections; Staphylococcus epidermis, which is commonly linked to infections acquired in healthcare settings; Cutibacterium acnes, which can cause acne; Pseudomonas putida, which commonly infects people who are immunocompromised; and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a drug-resistant bacteria.
The presence of bacteria can pose a potential danger to the approximately 32% of Americans who have at least one tattoo. Because tattoo inks are injected deep into the skin, it is easy for an infection to spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
This means that in addition to causing local infections, bacteria can cause systemic reactions that can lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and endocarditis. Sepsis can progress rapidly, leading to organ failure and death.
The FDA reported a rise in tattoo-related infections in 2023, and new data indicates that contaminated ink could be part of the problem, as well as infections caused by artists using unsterile techniques or improper aftercare.
Tattoo and permanent makeup inks are not regulated by the FDA, although the agency released draft guidance in 2023 that gave manufacturers advice on how to avoid contamination.
People who have multiple tattoos or large designs are at higher risk of infection due to the amount of ink they are exposed to.
For those looking to get a tattoo or add ink to their body, experts suggest asking studios how they handle ink. In addition to the usual precautions, like using new needles for each tattoo and making sure the same gloves don’t touch ink bottles and tattoos, some places are taking extra precautions.
These include performing independent testing of the ink to check for contamination or using an autoclave to resterilize the ink after purchase.
In addition to talking to a studio about safety practices, it’s also important to follow other aftercare practices, including using antibacterial soap, appropriate healing ointments, and avoiding swimming in pools, lakes, hot tubs, or other bodies of water until the tattoo is completely healed.
