Re: People that have tatoos are scum
Re: People that have tatoos are scum
lots of reasearch starting in the area and Ive seen some other studies as well but granted not from totally impartial researchers but I know enough of these ingredients and some studies to suggest strongly do not get colored ones and if you do get them dont remove them.
Research reveals tattoo ink contains metals, may cause cancer
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<SMALL>by</SMALL> Stephanie Harris <SMALL>on</SMALL> October 2, 2008
Although tattoos are a growing trend, the ingredients of tattoo ink are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Once an art form started by tribal societies for religious purposes, tattooing has become so popular that, according to a survey by Harris Interactive in 2003, 36 percent of Americans aged 25 to 29 has at least one tattoo.
What is unknown to many tattoo recipients is that they may be injecting dangerous chemicals under their skin. Far from the ingredients of the original tribal tattoos, which were made with dyes from the natural environment, many of today?s tattoo inks contain metallic salts, oxides, sulphides and selenides, according to a study done by the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection on permanent tattoo inks in Europe. Many of the chemicals found were originally intended for use in writing, automobile paints and printer inks.
Jani Ingram, an associate professor of chemistry, has been analyzing tattoo ink for metal content.
?There are many things in the inks, including a variety of metals, which provide some of the interesting colors,?Ingram said. ?The inks are not consistent, which also makes it difficult to know exactly what you are getting. In my research, we did trace metal analysis on the inks. We compared the metal content of various manufacturers.?
Ingram said she believes the tattoo removal process is the most dangerous aspect of tattoos. She said there are questions of exposure to metals in the inks. During removal, the tattoos are broken up so the body can absorb the ink.
?I tell folks that if they are going to get a tattoo, that they should want it for life,? Ingram said.
In America, the FDA regulates vitamins, cosmetics, drugs and food, but it does notregulate the ink that tattoos are made from. Because of other public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence, the FDA has not traditionally regulated tattoo inks or the pigments used in them, according to the FDA Web site.
In addition, the FDA does not require the ingredients of the inks to be disclosed. Because they are considered ?trade secrets,? tattoo inks may contain chemicals known to cause mutations, birth defects or cancer, though these symptoms may take years to appear.
Josh Nelson, a tattoo artist for Tat-Fu Tattoo on 104 E. Route 66, said he does not think the FDA should regulate what goes into tattoo ink.
?Because you can?t stick something in your skin that will cause a crazy reaction, I don?t think the FDA has to regulate what goes into tattoo ink,? Nelson said. ?A good artist is going to make sure that you won?t get anything bad in your ink. The ink we use at Tat-Fu Tattoo is all organic and made with minerals.?
Nelson said the companies that put plastic in their inks usually do not last long. He said Tat-Fu uses carbon-based black ink.
Conversly, Ingram said she wants more FDA involvement.
?I believe that the FDA needs to regulate tattoo ink, particularly with the numbers of people getting tattoos,? Ingram said. ?I think that some of the tattoo artists are unaware of the chemicals that are present in many of the inks. It would be difficult under the current circumstances for the artists to provide that information for their customers.?
Renee Hamilton, a freshman sociology and physiology major, has had her tattoo for four months.
?I didn?t know that the FDA doesn?t regulate what goes into tattoo ink,? Hamilton said. ?I think that?s disgusting. I think that the FDA should regulate tattoo ink because it?s going to have an effect on anybody who has a tattoo and a lot of people have them.?
Nelson suggests anyone interested in getting a tattoo should make sure it is what the recipient wants.
?Tattoos are not for everybody,? Ingram said. ?It?s going to be on your body for life, so make sure it?s something you like and don?t worry what other people think about it.?