CNN – Sealed bottles of tattoo and permanent makeup ink, including some marked as sterile, contained millions of potentially dangerous bacteria, according to new research by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Seong-Jae (Peter) Kim, a microbiologist staff fellow at the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Arkansas, said in a statement:
“In light of our study results, we want to emphasize the importance of continuously monitoring these products to ensure the microbial safety of tattoo inks.”
Kim is corresponding author of the July 2 report published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Because the ink is injected deep into the skin where some bacteria can thrive, contaminated tattoo ink can cause infections and serious injuries, said study coauthor Linda Katz, the director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors.
“Growing up, I don’t remember seeing tattoos on any of the Christians in my community. My grandparents and parents were so firmly against the idea that the topic never even came up in our home. It was simply obvious that Christians shouldn’t get tattoos because it directly contradicted Scripture. The Old Testament book of Leviticus clearly says, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” (Lev. 19:28 NIV) For many Christians, that ends the discussion.” – “Are Tattoos OK for Christians?” Carmen Imes, January 13, 2023, Biola Univerity
When systemic spread occurs, bacteria can cause life-threatening complications such as endocarditis, a potentially deadly inflammation of the heart lining, or septic shock, which is the last and most severe stage of sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection that can result in multi-organ failure, Katz said.
If not quickly treated, “sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death,” according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Other, more commonly reported symptoms of tattoo ink infections include:
- injection-site rashes; impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection;
- erysipelas, a bright red and tender rash on the skin;
- and cellulitis, a deep infection of the skin that requires antibiotic treatment, according to Katz.
People with multiple or large tattoos are at higher risk from contaminated ink, Katz said, because larger tattoos increase the likelihood of exposure to microorganisms.
Applying permanent makeup can also raise the risk of infection …
