Safety Warning: 35% of Tattoo Inks Tested Positive for Harmful Bacteria

New research has discovered bacterial contamination in about 35% of commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks in the U.S., highlighting the importance of enhanced safety measures and continuous monitoring to mitigate health risks.

Researchers have discovered both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks. These findings, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, indicate that these inks could potentially cause human infections. This study is especially significant as it marks the first investigation into the presence of anaerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo inks.

“Our findings reveal that unopened and sealed tattoo inks can harbor anaerobic bacteria, known to thrive in low-oxygen environments like the dermal layer of the skin, alongside aerobic bacteria,” said corresponding author Seong-Jae (Peter) Kim, Ph.D., a microbiologist with the Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Ark. “This suggests that contaminated tattoo inks could be a source of infection from both types of bacteria. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring these products for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including possibly pathogenic microorganisms.”