Urgent warning about ‘hidden tattoo risk’ Aussies don’t know about: ‘This is serious’

A new Australian study has revealed alarming hidden dangers lurking inside tattoo inks.

Experts have warned that millions of Aussies could be unknowingly exposed to toxic, unlisted ingredients every time they get tattooed.

With one in four Australian adults now sporting at least one tattoo, researchers said the risks aren’t just about dodgy designs or botched body art.

They are, however, more to do with what’s actually inside the colourful inks being injected beneath the skin.

A team at Flinders University has discovered that the ingredients listed on tattoo ink labels often don’t match what’s really inside the bottle.

Their findings, published this month in the Journal of Environmental Health, have sparked fresh concerns about lax regulation and long-term health impacts.

‘Using a combination of advanced analytical techniques, we found discrepancies between labelled and actual ingredients in a range of commercially available yellow tattoo inks,’ explained PhD candidate Ms Batool Aljubran, whose research is supported by King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia.

‘These hidden components raise serious questions about consumer safety, regulation, and the breakdown of pigments in the body.’

A new Australian study has revealed alarming hidden dangers lurking inside tattoo ink after examining popular shades of lemon yellow, golden yellow, golden rod and bright orange tattoo pigments

The study examined popular shades of lemon yellow, golden yellow, golden rod and bright orange tattoo inks, which typically contain pigments such as Yellow 14 and 65, Blue 15 and Orange 13.

But instead of matching up with label claims, the results revealed a cocktail of unlisted elements – including aluminium, sodium and silicon.

The findings have sparked concern that tattoo lovers could be exposed to unknown substances every time they go under the needle.

Professor Claire Lenehan, senior author of the study and researcher at Flinders’ College of Sciences and Engineering, said the findings underscore worrying gaps in oversight.

‘This study is part of our lab’s ongoing research to investigate the composition, safety, and health implications of tattoo inks,’ she said.

‘Our earlier work, led by Dr Tristan Fraser, has shown that carcinogenic compounds and DNA-damaging chemicals can be released during tattooing, ageing, or removal.’

However it’s not just what’s in the ink that poses a problem. 

Fellow environmental health researcher Benjamin Boyle warned that pigments can degrade and change over time – especially when exposed to the sun, as tattoos age, or during laser removal.

Experts have warned that millions of Aussies could be unknowingly exposed to toxic, unlisted ingredients every time they get tattooed

A team at Flinders University has discovered that the ingredients listed on tattoo ink labels often don’t match what’s really inside the bottle 

This breakdown process, he said, can release potentially harmful by-products into the body, compounding the risks. 

Worldwide, tattoos have become more popular than ever, but researchers warn the boom has outpaced health and safety regulation.

In Australia, there are very few rules governing tattoo and permanent cosmetic formulations, meaning consumers have little protection from hidden hazards.

The latest study adds to growing calls for stronger public health advice and tougher oversight of the industry.

‘Together, this body of work aims to inform public health advice, regulatory policy, and safer tattooing and removal practices in Australia and internationally,’ Professor Lenehan said.

While the findings sound alarming, experts say the best defence is asking questions before you sit in the chair. 

‘This study focused on decoding the chemical composition of tattoo inks, but it has highlighted the presence of unlisted or potentially harmful substances in some products,’ said Batool. 

Reputable tattoo studios should be able to show the brands and batches of inks they use and only buy from licensed suppliers, with Batool adding consumers are advised to ask tattooists about whether the ink being used meets regulatory and safety standards.

Health authorities also advise choosing parlours that meet strict hygiene and safety standards, and avoiding cheap or unlabelled inks.

And if you’re worried about a reaction to a new tattoo, ask for a patch test with a small dot of ink before committing to a large piece.