Tattoo Ink: Safe or Not?
As you can probably guess, there’s no black or white answer to the question about tattoo ink safety. Considering the thousands of people who have tattoos with no apparent problems, balanced against growing concerns on the part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the best answer for now is "maybe."
If you’re considering a tattoo, an important thing to know is that there’s little regulation of tattoo ink. In a report updated in June 2008, the FDA stated that pigments used in the inks require approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. “However, because of other public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, FDA traditionally has not exercised its regulatory authority over tattoo inks or the pigments used in them.”
Translation? The FDA has had more pressing issues to investigate. But that’s starting to change. The organization is performing additional research now and may take further action to safeguard the public health.
The FDA is paying more attention to tattoo ink in part because tattoos are so popular and widespread. Most people decide to get a tattoo simply as adornment or self-expression.
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This is something I have been wondering about. Certainly it interferes with your skins ability to sweat in that area.
I don't have any tattoos and I don't judge those who do.. I just wonder what it does to their health.
Thanks for putting this out there.