Tattoo Ink Labels Often Mislead, Study Finds
New study reveals tattoo ink ingredients often don't match labels, raising safety concerns.
Why it matters
- Many people get tattoos, but the ingredients in the inks aren't well-regulated.
- Mislabeling could lead to health risks like allergies and skin inflammation.
By the numbers
- Studied four yellow tattoo inks: lemon yellow, golden yellow, golden rod, bright orange.
- Found unlisted elements like aluminum, sodium, and silicon.
The big picture
- Tattoo inks are not well-regulated, posing potential health risks.
- The study used multiple analysis techniques to identify discrepancies.
What they're saying
- Comments question why manufacturers weren't named and why red inks weren't included.
- Concerns about the influx of new, smaller ink producers and potential counterfeiting.
Caveats
- The study had a low fullness score (0.3), so it might not cover all aspects comprehensively.
- The study focused only on yellow inks, not other colors.
What’s next
- More regulation and safety criteria for tattoo inks may be needed.
- Further studies could look at other ink colors and more manufacturers.