Tattoo inks can cause skin problems including allergic reactions, extreme itching and even an increased risk of cancer, the European Chemicals agency (ECHA), has warned.
The ECHA will soon publish a new a research detailing potentially dangerous chemicals in tattoo ink.
“Many reports show significant concerns for public health stemming from the composition of inks used for tattooing,” the agency said. “The most severe concerns are allergies caused by the substances in the inks and possible carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductively toxic effects.”
At the moment tattoo inks are not regulated in the EU. In the recent years there has been a growth in cheap Chinese tattoo inks of questionable quality recently.
“If it is found that a restriction is needed, a formal proposal to restrict the substances will be submitted within one year to initiate the process,” Independent.co.uk quoted an agency spokesman to have said.
Please make sure the tattoo studio you are using is licenced, clean and that the tattooists use sterilized gloves and instruments.