Of course, exposure to mercury and other heavy metals is hardly the only risk involved with getting a tattoo. The term tattoo itself is defined as a permanent picture, pattern, or word on the surface of skin, created by needle punctures. Tattoo ink is then placed underneath the skin, where it remains FOREVER! According to a 2007 lawsuit brought by the American Environmental Safety Institute (AESI), against two of the leading tattoo ink manufacturers, Huck Spaulding Enterprises, Inc., Superior Tattoo Equipment Co., not only do the inks contain heavy metals, but the ingredients have been linked to cancer and birth defects.
Beyond the long term risks of walking around with ink injected into your body, getting inked in and of itself can be risky business. If the tattoo artist’s needles and equipment aren’t properly sterilized in an autoclave between customers, you could be exposed to disease, such as: hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis, mycobacterium, syphilis, malaria, HIV or even leprosy. Yikes!
While I have three tattoos myself, these findings are definitely an eye-opening-something to consider! Now, should you decide to give it a go, the FDA cautions consumers “do not buy or order online do-it-yourself tattoo removal products. These acid-based products are not FDA-approved and can cause bad skin reactions.” Also keep in mind that henna has not been FDA approved expect for the use as a hair dye.