Is it Tattoo Much, or Did They Ink the Line?

Get buried in a certain cemetery, work some health care or service-related jobs, and in some religions go to heaven - these are all things you cannot do if you have tattoos. If you were never interested in getting inked, this will not impact you, but if you live in the European Union (EU) and you plan to get your new ink colored, you may be out of luck. A new rule came into play on January 4th of this year that bans tattoo inks that contain a certain chemical that is thought to be harmful when used in or under the skin. Interestingly enough, the chemicals that the EU is concerned about are found in most colored inks. 

If you have a tattoo, should you be worried? Well, maybe. The EU's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) has found that certain chemicals used in colored tattoo inks can cause cancer or genetic mutations. While that sounds like it could be a major issue or something to be freaked out about, don't panic yet. There is still much to be learned about the toxicity, effects, and impacts of these chemicals as well as dosage/exposure needed to cause an adverse effect. REACH still has more research to do, but the primary aim of this ban was for tattoo ink suppliers to find new, safer, REACH-approved chemicals for ink colors. Instead of shutting down everyone immediately, REACH is giving the ink companies until January 2023 to change their ink recipes to something that will be less harmful, specifically for popular colors green and blue. How that reprieve looks country by country differs, as some have opted to go ahead and ban these inks altogether while others are allowing for some time/ development of REACH-approved inks.

What does the ban actually cover? Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogenic aromatic amines, metals, and methanol to name a few things. Will they cause cancer? Sure - but consider that in a high enough quantity/exposure anything will cause poisoning or cancer. So of course, some argue that the amount of exposure to the inks would have to be great in order to show a clear link between tattoos and cancer. Think of it like tanning; everyone says that it's bad for you and will eventually result in some form of skin cancer, even with sunblock. Is that going to stop those who want to tan from tanning or finding more dangerous alternative? The answer there is pretty clear.

How will this ink ban impact tattoo artists? Well, if nothing is done to make a "safer" alternative to the inks that are currently on the market, tattoo artists will find themselves in a tight situation. Things are already relatively rough with many places beginning to shut down again because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. If by this time next year there is no colored ink, there will be a limit in what can be done within the EU. Like with most things that have been banned or deemed illegal, people will either operate illegally or leave the EU in order to have the work they want done.

Of note, this ban did not affect those in the United Kingdom (UK) as the UK separated from the EU some time ago. Is the UK going to do anything? Sort of. The UK is asking that tattoo ink manufacturers and tattoo artists provide information about the ingredients found in tattoo ink so that the customer can make an informed decision. For now, the UK is opting to do more research on the links between tattoo ink and cancer. Will this ban increase tourism to the UK for people to finish their tattoos? Maybe, but only time will tell.