Tattoo and Body Art – Research Article

Kluger N.a,b

Author affiliations

aDepartment of Dermatology, “Tattoo” Consultation, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
bDepartment of Dermatology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

Log in to MyKarger to check if you already have access to this content.

Buy FullText & PDF Unlimited re-access via MyKarger Unrestricted printing, no saving restrictions for personal use read more

CHF 38.00 *
EUR 35.00 *
USD 39.00 *

Select

KAB

Buy a Karger Article Bundle (KAB) and profit from a discount!

If you would like to redeem your KAB credit, please log in.

Save over 20% compared to the individual article price.

Learn more

Rent/Cloud Rent for 48h to view Buy Cloud Access for unlimited viewing via different devices Synchronizing in the ReadCube Cloud Printing and saving restrictions apply Rental: USD 8.50
Cloud: USD 20.00

Select

Subscribe Access to all articles of the subscribed year(s) guaranteed for 5 years Unlimited re-access via Subscriber Login or MyKarger Unrestricted printing, no saving restrictions for personal use read more

Subcription rates

Select

* The final prices may differ from the prices shown due to specifics of VAT rules.

Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview

Received: April 08, 2021
Accepted: March 28, 2022
Published online: May 09, 2022

Number of Print Pages: 6
Number of Figures: 2
Number of Tables: 2

ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DRM

Abstract

Background: Tattoo ink safety is one of the main concerns surrounding tattooing practices. In order to better assess the risks and increase the safety of tattoo inks, it is important to know about the habits of tattooists in real life. Objective: We investigated the most popular inks in the French market and how professional tattooists used them in their daily practice. Methods: We performed an observational, self-reported, online survey concerning the French tattoo artists. All active professional tattooists in France were invited to take part in a six-question Internet survey regarding their tattoo inks usage habits. Results: 598 tattooists reported 36 different brands of black inks and 30 of colored inks. However, 6 brands of black inks were used by 14.2–44% of the tattooists and, for colored inks, 5 manufacturers were favored by 11.2 up to 55.7% of the tattooists. The majority of tattooists (68.9%) mixed two different colors or more to obtain a new shade while 21.7% would try to find the adequate shade within the assortment provided by a manufacturer. 54.4% had between 10 and 40 references, 31.9% had less than 10 references, 11.5% had 40–100 references, and 2.2% had >100 references. Conclusions: The market of tattoo inks in France is dominated only by a fistful of brands. Controls by official authorities should target those popular brands, even though all brands should respect the law. Toxicological studies should always precise the provenance market and which brands are tested, so we can assess their impact in real life. Tattooists should also try to lower the number of ready-made colors they require.

© 2022 S. Karger AG, Basel

References Nho SW, Kim M, Kweon O, Kim SJ, Moon MS, Periz G, et al. Microbial contamination of tattoo and permanent makeup inks marketed in the US: a follow-up study. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2020 Oct;71(4):351–8. Bäumler W. Chemical hazard of tattoo colorants. Presse Med. 2020 Dec;49(4):104046. Giulbudagian M, Schreiver I, Singh AV, Laux P, Luch A. Safety of tattoos and permanent make-up: a regulatory view. Arch Toxicol. 2020 Feb;94(2):357–69. ECHA. Registry of restriction intentions until outcome. 2022. Available from: https://echa.europa.eu/fi/registry-of-restriction-intentions/-/dislist/details/0b0236e180dff62a. Forte G, Petrucci F, Cristaudo A, Bocca B. Market survey on toxic metals contained in tattoo inks. Sci Total Environ. 2009 Nov 15;407(23):5997–6002. Regensburger J, Lehner K, Maisch T, Vasold R, Santarelli F, Engel E, et al. Tattoo inks contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that additionally generate deleterious singlet oxygen. Exp Dermatol. 2010 Aug;19(8):e275–81. Liszewski W, Warshaw EM. Pigments in American tattoo inks and their propensity to elicit allergic contact dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Aug;81(2):379–85. Kluger N, Bruel C, Beauvois A. Current legislation on tattooing in France. Presse Med. 2020 Dec;49(4):104058. UFC-QUE CHOISIR. Encres de tatouage. Face au danger, l’UFC-Que Choisir saisit la DGCCRF. 18 Feb 2021. Available from: https://www.quechoisir.org/action-ufc-que-choisir-encres-de-tatouage-face-au-danger-l-ufc-que-choisir-saisit-la-dgccrf-n88486/ (accessed April 08, 2021). Karbowska B, Rębiś T, Zembrzuska J, Nadolska K. Thallium in color tattoo inks: risk associated with tattooing. Med Pr. 2020 Jul 24;71(4):405–11. Desmedt B, Vanhamme M, Deconinck E. The purity of tattoo inks, screening substances of high concern. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 19;129:105123. Wang X, Josefsson L, Meschnark S, Lind ML, Emmer Å, Goessler W, et al. Analytical survey of tattoo inks-A chemical and legal perspective with focus on sensitizing substances. Contact Dermatitis. 2021 Sep;85(3):340–53. Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview

Received: April 08, 2021
Accepted: March 28, 2022
Published online: May 09, 2022

Number of Print Pages: 6
Number of Figures: 2
Number of Tables: 2

ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DRM

Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.