Article about dangers of tattoo ink, but is it a warning looking for a problem?

Stevyamda

Thinking about getting a tattoo? New research might change your mind

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.

“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,” said Seong-Jae (Peter) Kim, a microbiologist staff fellow at the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Arkansas, in a statement. 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.
I'm not part of that world, but have not heard of many problems from tattoos.

Has that been brushed under the rug or is this much ado about nothing?

LuisMiller

I saw an article on that a bit ago. Not too surprising, but I have never known anyone who had an issue either, but it probably was not on the Medical Professionals radar as a potential source for issue.

Madebowm

I had no idea about some of the stuff mentioned, but it made me think about folks who get a Medical Tattoo—for example, people marking radiation spots or diabetes info. Those need to stay readable and safe over time. If ink contents become an issue, it could really matter for them, not just folks getting tattoos for fun or style.