The decision to get a tattoo shouldn’t be taken lightly. Some undesired outcomes to tattooing include adverse reactions to tattoo ink, infections and general dissatisfaction with the finished result. Also of concern is the lack of regulation in the use of tattoo inks. The Food and Drug Administration, (FDA) notes that over 50 types of pigment are currently in use by tattoo artists, and none of the color additives in tattoo ink are approved for injection into the skin. If you are considering getting a tattoo, it’s important to educate yourself on the pros and cons of the various types of tattoo ink.
Traditional Tattoo Ink
The FDA has not exercised any regulation of tattoo inks, due to the abundance of more pressing public health concerns. Harvard dermatology professor Rox Anderson notes that these inks can be extremely difficult to remove. The lack of regulation leads to concern about the ingredients in the inks, which may contain lead, zinc, other heavy metals and even carcinogens. Many of the pigments are of industrial strength quality, as is used in automobile paint or printer ink.
Patients with medical conditions such as alopecia or vitiligo sometimes opt for cosmetic tattooing to disguise the disfiguring symptoms of their condition, but even this type of tattooing is not without adverse effects. The FDA has recorded over 150 incidents of adverse reactions to tattoo inks used in permanent cosmetic tattoo procedures.
UV or Black Light Tattoo Ink
A recent trend in tattooing is the use of UV or black light inks, which can either be tinted with pigment to make them visible under normal light or untinted, which leaves a tattoo that glows under black light, but is invisible in normal light.
The FDA notes that not enough research has been done to confirm or deny reports that the use of UV ink is linked to cancer, but dermatologists have found an increase in skin reactions and infections in black light tattoo recipients.
Removable Tattoo Ink
In 2006, Harvard researchers announced the development of a new form of tattoo ink that is easier and less painful to remove; will not cause allergic reactions and is formulated from biodegradable materials that have been approved by the FDA.
Rox Anderson, developer of this new ink, notes that traditional tattoo inks often need four to 12 laser treatments for complete removal, as separate treatments are needed for each color. His company, Freedom-2, has created their ink to be removable with only one or two treatments.
About this Author
For 15 years, Christina Ray’s award-winning work has appeared in film, television, newspapers, magazines and the Internet. She has worked as a story editor on the CBS drama Flashpoint, and her column, “Road Stories,” appears bimonthly in The Driver Magazine. She has a B.S. in biology, and a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Palmer College.
