More than nine in 10 people who get tattoos in the US could be unknowingly exposing themselves to chemicals that cause organ damage, a study suggests.
Tests in New York on 54 ink samples showed that 45 contained substances not listed on the label.
The most common was polyethylene glycol, a substance that has been linked to organ damage, including a type of necrosis in the kidneys.
Others include 2-phenoxyethanol, which has been linked to nervous system dysfunction in infants, and an antibiotic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin regulating tattoo inks in the coming months, after a vote in Congress in late 2022 gave the agency the authority to do so. Lawmakers decided on the change after multiple reports of illnesses caused by microbe contaminants in tattoos.
Machine Gun Kelly’s new tattoo has been criticized by fans after covering the top half of his body in black ink
Other celebrities who have decorated their bodies with tattoos include Justin Bieber (left) and Adam Levine (right)
Tattoo inks – alongside makeup and body lotions, among others – are regulated as ‘cosmetics’ under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA).
This was the largest overhaul of cosmetics regulations since 1938 and gave the FDA new powers, including to control ingredients in tattoos.
The agency has so far released draft guidelines on tattoo inks as it prepares to regulate the products.
About a third of Americans now have tattoos, surveys show, and among adults ages 30 to 49, as many as half have the ink.
Tattoos are also becoming more common among celebrities, potentially increasing their popularity – with figures like Justin Bieber jumping on the trend.
And more extreme versions like Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘blackout’ tattoos are also becoming more common.
In the study, published in the journal Analytical chemistryscientists collected ink samples from nine US-based manufacturers.
The ingredients found in the tests were then compared to those listed on the labels of the inks to reveal the differences.
Polyethylene glycol, which is contained in the inks, can be used in tattoos as a thickening agent, making them easier to apply. It is also used in other products such as body wash, foundations and even hairspray.
Experts suggest that 2-phenoxyethanol, which has also been found in some inks, could be added as a preservative as it can prevent microbes from growing in the ink once a bottle is opened.
The chemical is also used in moisturizers, eye shadows and sunscreen because of these effects and is permitted for use at up to a one percent concentration in products.
The tests also revealed an antibiotic – propylene glycol – commonly used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) that was not listed on the label. It may also have been added to reduce the risk of contamination.
This antibiotic has also previously been linked to allergic reactions that can cause skin conditions such as eczema.
Tattoo inks placed into the body by tattoo artists can be absorbed by macrophages (a type of white blood cell) which then trap the ink in the skin and hold the tattoo in place.
But in some cases, it is possible for impurities to enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, increasing the risk of unwanted side effects such as organ damage.
Dermatologists have previously warned against tattoos, saying they make it harder to detect skin cancer and contain impurities that can increase the risk of complications.
Dr. Marc Everett, a New York plastic surgeon who was not involved in the study, has previously suggested that the tattoo inks may also cause inflammation in the lymph nodes – which also help transport fluids throughout the body.
The swelling can damage the body’s immune system, reducing its ability to fight infections, it was previously suggested.
Tests in New York on 54 ink samples found that as many as 45 contained impurities that were not listed on the label (stock image)
Dr. John Swierk, a chemist at Binghampton University who led the research, said: ‘We hope manufacturers use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate their processes, and that artists and customers see this as an opportunity to push for better labeling and production. .’
He added: ‘This is the first study to explicitly look at inks sold in the United States and is probably the most comprehensive because it looks at the pigments.’
‘These nominally remain in the skin, (along with) the carrier packaging, which contains the pigment.’
He added: “Our goal in much of this research is to empower artists and their clients. Tattoo artists are serious professionals who have dedicated their lives to this craft and who want the best possible results for their clients.
‘We are trying to highlight that there are some shortcomings in production and labelling.’