35 Percent of Tattoo Inks Researched Include Bacteria, Suggesting Health Risks

A new study, albeit small, raises health concerns about the body art form. 

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A hidden danger may be lurking in tattoo inks that transform skin into art.

More than a third of commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks harbor potentially harmful bacteria, according to a new study. The findings suggest that even sealed, supposedly sterile products could be breeding grounds for infection-causing microbes.

Bacteria Found in 35 Percent of Inks

The study, published July 2 in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, investigated the presence of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo inks and permanent makeup.