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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.
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.
