TO INK OR NOT TO INK

Although it is easy to be swept along with the current tattoo trend, try to understand the risks before following the crowd.  Tattoos are not a good choice for everyone.  People with allergies to perfumes, make-up products, or lotions may have an increased risk of developing an itchy rash in the area of the tattoo.  It is also fairly common for individuals to be allergic to ingredients in tattoo dyes. The FDA does not regulate or approve any tattoo pigments for injection into the skin.  In fact, some common tattoo dye ingredients are cited on the EPA carcinogen list.  Other ingredients, such as titanium, lead, cadmium, nickel, or chromium, may trigger allergic reactions or cause other long-term health conditions. 

P.S.  Tattoos might swell or burn during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.  Tattoo pigments can also interfere with the quality of the scanned image.

---

< < Back to All Articles