A hidden danger may be lurking in tattoo inks that transform skin into art. Aerobic bacteria survive and thrive only when oxygen is present, while anaerobic bacteria—such as the bacteria that cause tetanus—don’t require oxygen to live and spread. In the case of contaminated tattoo ink, these pathogens can infect injured human tissue, particularly the skin’s dermal layer.
Researchers analyzed 75 tattoo inks from 14 manufacturers in the U.S. market using standard incubation methods for aerobic bacteria and an anaerobic chamber for detecting anaerobic bacteria.
The study found that about 35 percent of sealed and unopened inks contained both types of bacteria. This was true even when product labels claimed sterility. Over half of the inks were labeled sterile yet were contaminated with bacteria.
This suggests that either the sterilization process was ineffective or the sterility claims were inaccurate. The tattooing process breaks the skin, increasing the risk of skin problems. According to Dr.
Madan, infection isn’t the only risk from tattooing. People can also experience allergic reactions to the inks used, he noted. “In addition, if not done with clean tools, there can be risk of spread of diseases such as hepatitis or HIV,” he added.
Allergic reactions: Tattoo inks can trigger allergic reactions, sometimes years after the procedure. Red ink is particularly problematic, possibly due to mercury content . Those with existing allergies face a higher risk of reacting.