Carcinogenic Substances Found in Some Tattoo Inks Not Printed on the Label

Researchers are aware of the possibility of carcinogenic ingredients in tattoo ink. However, after research conducted by an assistant chemistry professor and his students, it was revealed that artists had no idea what chemicals were in their preferred brands.

Tattoo Artists are Clueless of Some Inks' Carcinogenic Risk

According to the study's chief investigator, John Swierk, Ph.D., the initial inspiration for the project originated from his interest in the effects of tattoo removal using laser light. The analysis of well-known brands began after he realized how little was truly known about the makeup of tattoo inks.

In order to learn more about the inks that tattoo artists use on their clients, Swierk and his undergraduate research assistants questioned tattoo artists in their lab. The artists were able to immediately identify a brand they liked, although they had little information about it.

"Surprisingly, no dye shop makes pigment specific for tattoo ink," Swierk said.

Big businesses produce pigments for everything, including paint and fabrics. Inks for tattoos also contain these pigments. He further points out in the press release that despite the fact that tattoo parlors must have licenses in order to operate safely, neither local nor federal authorities have any control over the inks' actual composition.

Tattoo Ink Composition

The pigment and a carrier solution are the two components that tattoo inks have. A molecular mixture, like a blue pigment, could be the pigment. Yet another possibility is a white solid substance like titanium dioxide. The two chemical types may be combined, as in the case of light blue ink, which also contains titanium dioxide and the molecular blue pigment.

On the other hand, the carrier solution usually aids in making the pigment more soluble and transfers it to the main layer of skin. Additionally, it has the ability to regulate the ink solution's viscosity and occasionally contains an anti-inflammatory component.

Tattoo Inks Substances not Printed on Label

The particle size and chemical makeup of tattoo pigments have been studied by Swierk's team using a number of methods, including Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These analyses have proven the existence of substances that are present but aren't specified on some labels. In one instance, ethanol was not specified, but chemical testing revealed that it was present in the ink. The team has also been successful in pinpointing the specific pigments that are found in some inks.

Swierk said, every time they examined one of the inks, we discovered something that made him pause. For instance, preliminary analysis of 23 of 56 distinct inks suggests the presence of an azo-containing dye. According to the Joint Research Centre, although many azo pigments are not harmful when they are chemically intact, bacteria or ultraviolet light can break them down into another nitrogen-based compound that may be carcinogenic.

Additionally, the team used electron microscopy to examine 16 inks, and it discovered that around half of them included particles smaller than 100 nm. Swierk declares that the size range is concerning as particles this small can potentially injure cells by breaking through the cell membrane.

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What's in My Ink?

"What's in My Ink?," a website Swierk and his team built, will enable tattoo artists and people who get tattoos to learn more about what potentially toxic substances may be in the ink they're putting into their skin. The website has already started to post their findings. They'll be able to add more details pending additional study and peer evaluation.