Tattoo Ink Recall Sparks Warning About Infections, Permanent Scarring

Tattoo artists and consumers are being urged to steer clear of certain Sacred Tattoo Ink products after federal testing revealed contamination with potentially dangerous bacteria.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public safety warning following the discovery of pathogenic microorganisms in two specific ink lots, which could lead to serious infections and permanent skin damage if used.

Newsweek reached out to Sacred Tattoo Ink by email for comment.

Why It Matters

Tattoos are rising in popularity, with data showing that 30 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo, the FDA reported.

The alert about Sacred Tattoo Ink, published by the FDA on Wednesday, comes amid growing public scrutiny over product safety in the personal care and cosmetics industries. Tattoo procedures inherently involve breaking the skin barrier, which heightens the risk of infection from any contaminants introduced during inking, according to the FDA.

What to Know

The contaminated products include Sacred Tattoo Ink's Raven Black (Lot#: RB0624, best before June 28, 2027) and "Sunny Daze" (Lot#: SD1124, best before November 1, 2027), both of which are the subject of a targeted recall. Testing identified the presence of bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can be resistant to antibiotics and difficult to treat once infection sets in.

Infections stemming from these contaminated inks may present as rashes or red lesions and, in more severe cases, can lead to scarring. Misdiagnoses are possible, the FDA cautioned, as symptoms may mimic allergic reactions or other skin conditions, delaying appropriate treatment.

The FDA identified the contaminated lots through routine surveillance sampling and subsequent lab analysis. The agency used its Bacteriological Analytical Manual for cosmetics to test for microbial contamination.

Consumers considering a tattoo are advised to inquire about the ink brands and lot numbers in use before proceeding. Tattoo artists and ink retailers are being asked to stop using or selling the affected products immediately.

"Tattoo inks contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms can cause infections and lead to serious health injuries when injected into the skin during a tattooing procedure," the FDA said in its advisory.

In a webpage about tattoo safety, the FDA said there's no way to tell if ink is safe without testing it first.

"An ink can be contaminated even if the container is sealed, or the label says the product is sterile," the webpage said.

What People Are Saying

Sacred Tattoo Ink in a post about the alert on Facebook on Wednesday: "Hello everyone just wanted to post this up every company out there has had one. I guess it was our turn out of all the colors they tested only two colors were recalled so I think it's a great thing and those two batches were made in very small quantities ."

The FDA in a webpage about tattoo safety: "While you can get serious infections from unhygienic practices and equipment that isn't sterile, infections can also result from ink that was contaminated with bacteria, mold, or other microorganisms. Using non-sterile water to dilute the pigments (ingredients that add color) is a common culprit, although not the only one."

What Happens Next

Retailers and artists are expected to review their current stock and halt use of the listed ink batches immediately, while consumers are urged to remain vigilant during any upcoming tattoo appointments. Health care providers and consumers who experience adverse reactions are encouraged to report them through the FDA's MedWatch program.