Tattoo inks
Tattoos are a popular form of body art – 12 % of Europeans have them. They are made by injecting coloured inks under the skin to leave a permanent design. The health risks of using dirty needles to inject the inks have already been under scrutiny for some time, but there may be chemical-related concerns to consider, too.

Tattoo inks, as well as permanent make-up such as eyeliner inks, are a mix of several chemicals. As these chemicals may stay in the body for life, there is also the possibility for long-term exposure to the potentially harmful ingredients in tattoos and permanent make-up products. These chemicals may cause adverse health effects, but little is known about the consequences of their use.
The EU is currently deciding whether we need to set EU-wide restrictions on substances used in tattoo inks. Find out more through the links below.
Read Also
- Health
Chemicals causing allergies
More people are suffering from allergies than ever before. Some man-made chemicals cause them, but so can naturally occuring allergens like pollen, plants and food.
-
Good to know about hair dyes
More than 60 % of European women and up to 10 % of men dye their hair. The EU is the safest market in the world for hair dyes. Still, the products contain lots of chemicals and can cause an allergic reaction.