Karnataka's investigation into tattoo inks revealed harmful substances, including heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel, all linked to cancer, organ damage, and neurological disorders at dangerous ppm levels
Published Mar 05, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 05, 2025 | 7:00 AM
According to doctors, tattoo inks often contain harmful chemicals and metals, which are known to be carcinogenic.
Synopsis: A recent crackdown by Karnataka’s food safety authorities has exposed dangerous levels of contamination in tattoo inks sold in India, including harmful metals, solvents, and bacteria. Unlike cosmetics, tattoo inks lack regulation, raising concerns over public health. Karnataka officials have urged the union health minister to classify tattoo inks as cosmetics and implement safety standards to protect consumers from potential health risks.
Tattoos are often seen as symbols of self-expression, but what if they were also toxic time bombs? A recent crackdown by Karnataka’s food safety authorities has revealed alarming levels of contamination in tattoo inks sold in India. The findings—22 different metals, residual solvents, and potential disease-causing bacteria—have sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting urgent calls for regulation.
Unlike cosmetics, which undergo strict safety testing, tattoo inks currently exist in a legal grey area in India, with no quality control, safety standards, or government oversight. This means that millions of Indians getting inked may unknowingly be injecting hazardous chemicals directly into their skin—and bloodstream.
The officers of the Food Safety and Drugs Administration under the instructions of Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundurao has drafted a letter to be sent to the union health minister seeking immediate attention towards this issue and bring standards and regulation of tattoo inks and tattoo studio. The government has said that there must be a regulation and classify tattoo inks as cosmetic.
The draft letter which is available with South First, read, “The officials have taken samples of tattoo inks from the market and subjected them for testing and the reports are alarming. The tattoo inks showed positive for around 22 metals in ppm (parts per million) levels and Residual solvents as per the test report.”
The Karnataka government’s investigation tested multiple tattoo ink brands and uncovered a disturbing cocktail of harmful substances.
Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel—metals linked to cancer, organ damage, and neurological disorders—were found in ppm (parts per million) levels.
Residual Solvents: These chemicals, used in manufacturing, can be highly toxic when injected into the skin, potentially leading to allergic reactions, immune disorders, and long-term toxicity.
Bacterial Contamination: Some inks were found to harbor dangerous microbes, including non-tuberculous mycobacteria, which have been linked to severe skin infections and even systemic illnesses.
The letter said, “informal samples of tattoo inks of eight different colours of different manufacturer and needle was taken and subjected for testing. Heavy metals and residual solvents were tested, the reports show high level of various heavy metals in the product which is harmful.”
While the tattoo inks claimed to be sterile, the letter stated that since the product is coloured, there is no suitable method to test for sterility.
“The needles are taken for sterility and the lab reports are awaited. One container of tattoo ink is used for many customers there by sterility cannot be maintained. The environment in the tattoo shops are not aseptic area,” the letter read.
The ink isn’t just skin deep. Research shows that tattoo pigments don’t remain confined to the skin, but travel through the body. They can reach the liver, kidneys, and lymph nodes, raising concerns about long-term exposure and potential carcinogenic effects.
Tattoo ink is injected into the human body to a depth of 1mm to 3mm and every tattoo application injects about 1mg of ink per cm square.
There are two potential drainage paths from a tattoo, one directly into the venous system and other through the lymph tracts and lymph nodes into the blood stream.
Pigments and heavy metals may be transported to migrating cells and organs such as the liver, lungs or kidneys.
The introduction of tattoo inks into the skin has been associated with the potential entry of a great number of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
A survey on the possible health risks associated with tattoo, reported that people described skin problems (67.5 percent), systemic reactions (6.6 percent) fever directly after tattooing (1.1 percent) and pus filled tattoo lesions (0.4 percent).
Several outbreaks of non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections in tattoo parlours, especially due to mycobacterium chelonae and the source of infection was tap water, as sterile was not used.
There is no BIS standards for the tattoo inks. Tattoo inks are mainly imported and not regulated.
Speaking to South First, Dr M S Girish, renowned dermatologist at ESI Hospital in Bengaluru said it is a good move that Commissioner of Karnataka’s Food and Drug Administration has identified the presence of 22 heavy metals and has advocated for a prohibition on tattoo inks until appropriate standards are established and regulatory guidelines are implemented.
He says, tattoos are permanent, but so might be the health risks they bring. Karnataka’s report highlights multiple dangers associated with unsafe tattoo inks:
Skin Reactions: Surveys have found that up to 67.5 percent of people with tattoos experience skin problems, including persistent redness, itching, contact dermatitis, sarcodial and granulomatous reactions, photoallergic reactions and contact urticaria.
Infections: Bacterial infections like impetigo, eryipelas could happen.
Systemic Toxicity: The body can absorb ink particles into the bloodstream, leading to possible organ damage over time.
Cancer Risks: Studies suggest that some tattoo pigments contain carcinogens, and long-term exposure could increase cancer risks. However, there is no direct evidence of this. But ink contains many heavy metals which are possible carcinogens and also can even cause organ damage.
Hepatitis and HIV Transmission: Improper sterilisation in tattoo parlours poses serious risk of viral infections like blood borne ones including hepatitis B, C, and HIV.
Dr Divya Sharma, renowned dermatologist from Bengaluru had earlier told South First that the ink is injected into the skin’s second layer through multiple punctures. “This process can trigger an immune response because your body sees the ink as foreign substance. The ink particles are then transported by immune cells into your lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system.”
“Lymph nodes are important because they contain multiple cells and multiply and are sensitive to carcinogens. Exposure to harmful chemicals in tattoo ink can potentially disrupt the immune system and increase the risk of developing cancer, such as lymphoma,” she added.
Dr Girish said, currently, there are no Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms governing tattoo inks, which are predominantly imported and they remain unregulated. While India lacks clear guidelines, other countries have already taken steps to make tattooing safer.
European Union (EU): The EU has some of the strictest tattoo ink regulations in the world. In 2023, it banned certain blue and green pigments under its REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations due to toxicity concerns.
United States (US): The FDA considers tattoo inks as cosmetics but does not require pre-market approval. However, it has recalled contaminated tattoo inks in the past due to bacterial contamination.
Australia: Regulated at the state level, tattoo inks in Australia must meet safety standards, and certain chemicals are banned.
Right now, tattoo inks are imported into India without any oversight, meaning anyone can sell any ink—even if it contains toxic or banned substances. Karnataka’s food safety authorities are now urging the central government to take immediate action:
Classify tattoo inks as cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, ensuring they are tested and regulated.
Introduce Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines for tattoo inks to prevent the sale of unsafe products.
Ban the sale of tattoo inks until proper safety regulations are in place.
Enforce hygiene and sterility standards for tattoo studios to prevent infections and disease transmission.
What you need to know before getting inked
Until regulations are enforced, tattoo lovers should take extra precautions:
Ask about the ink brand and check if it follows international safety standards.
Avoid cheap, unbranded inks that could contain toxic substances.
Ensure the tattoo studio follows strict hygiene practices, including sterilised needles and fresh ink for each customer.
Watch for warning signs like persistent itching, redness, swelling, or infection after getting a tattoo.
Create awareness on skin diseases
Meanwhile, Dr Girish emphasised that it is important for the health department to also look into fake doctors claiming to treat skin diseases. Bangalore Dermatologists Association, in association with Indian Association fo Dermatology, Venerology and Leoprosy (IADVL) even held the first ever Skinnathon run for skin care on 2 March, to create public awareness about skin care.
Dr Manjunath Hulmani, President of IADVL and Dr S Sacchidanand, President of Bangalore Dermatologists Society, said that there is definitely a need to create awareness among people of various skin related diseases and also warn about fake doctors. “People are self medicating and there is excessive steroid use. There must be awareness of the dangers of uncontrolled skin medications and also about different dermatological practices,” he added.
Dr Girish told South First, it is a good move that tattoo ink has been asked to be brought under cosmetics then there will be some kind of regulation and monitoring bodies can look into this aspect as well. “There are several medications with heavy steroids, use of cheap unbranded inks which contain heavy toxic substances etc is leading to even organ damages. There are several reports from Kerala and other parts of the country of such damage. One should be careful about these issues,” he warned.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
