Health risk through tattoo

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warns against tattoo side effects

03.08.2011

Tattoos can cause many unwanted side effects and also the possible long-term effects of tattooing agents are still unclear, warns the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

After the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Consumer Protection warned against the toxic ingredients of tattoo inks at the beginning of the year, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) also notes the health risks of tattooing in a recent communication. Thus, both during stinging and when removing the tattoos different side effects such as inflammation of the skin, scarring and allergic reactions occur.

Harmful substances in tattoo ink
It is true that in Germany since the first of May 2009, the Tattooing Regulation, which makes exact specifications for all tattoo providers regarding the content of the tattoo inks. Nevertheless, in a study initiated by the Ministry of Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg last year, only five percent of the samples were assessed as safe for health. In the other colors, the scientists have proven harmful even cancerous substances such as aromatic amines, nitrosamines, phenol and technical color pigments, which are also used for the production of car paints. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, however, is not only concerned about the composition of tattoo inks, but the experts are also concerned about the general effect of colorants in the body. Thus, a transport of the color pigments into other organs can not be ruled out in principle and in the case of tattooed persons, color pigments have already been detected in the lymph nodes, explains the BfR.

Side effects when removing the tattoos
But not only the introduction of the color into the skin, the removal of the tattoos can sometimes cause significant side effects for those affected, warns the BfR. To remove the tattoos, for example, liquid tattoo remover with 40 percent L (+) - lactic acid injected under the skin, the irritant to skin and mucous membranes and can cause significant reactions already at a concentration of 20 percent, so the presentation of the BfR , The Institute was aware of cases in which severe inflammation of the skin with massive scarring was observed after application of liquid tattoo remover. According to the BfR, such inflammations can also be caused by the neglect of hygiene standards when stinging or removing tattoos. According to the experts, sterile conditions are therefore imperative in the treatment of tattoos. As an alternative to the removal with lactic acid, laser technology has also increasingly been used for some years, with the skin being bombarded with laser beams in the wavelength of the respective color pigments in order to split the color pigment in the body. With this method of tattoo removal, however, it is still unclear which chemical compounds are formed by the laser irradiation of the color pigments and which health consequences may possibly be associated with these compounds, the BfR reports.

Thorough consideration of risk factors in tattoos required
The President of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Professor Andreas Hensel, arrives „considering the health risks“ those associated with tattooing conclude that „Consumers should think twice about getting a tattoo.“ Anyone who has thoroughly informed about the side effects and still - as about ten percent of Germans so far - makes the decision to tattoo, according to the BfR president should question exactly what tattooing agents or colors are used. In addition, both the stinging and the removal of the tattoos should generally be carried out only by expert personnel and in compliance with the hygiene standards, because it should be avoided in any case that germs get under the skin, said Professor Hensel. (Fp)

Also read:
Toxic substances in tattoo colors

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