Cottonbro / PexelsTattoo ink could contain 22 species of microorganisms: a possible source of infections and adverse reactionsCottonbro / Pexels
Of 75 samples of inks used for tattoos and permanent makeup in the USA, more than one-third tested positive for the presence of bacteria. The tests, carried out by researchers from the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), included products from 14 popular brands. Bacteria that develop both in the presence and absence of oxygen was found in 26 of the inks. In total, 22 species of microorganisms were found, 19 of which had pathogenic potential, such as Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus. “The rising popularity of tattooing in recent years has coincided with an increase in tattoo-related complications or adverse reactions, such as microbial infections, immunologic complications, and toxic responses,” said NCTR microbiologist Seong-Jae Kim in a press release (Applied and Environmental Microbiology, July).
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