The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health warning regarding two tattoo ink products that may cause serious skin infections, scarring, and other complications.
In a statement released this week, the FDA urged consumers, tattoo artists, and retailers to stop using and selling Sacred Tattoo Ink’s Raven Black and Sunny Daze inks after testing revealed contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a harmful bacteria known to cause skin infections when injected into the skin.
“These tattoo inks were found to contain pathogenic microorganisms that can lead to infections and serious health injuries,” the agency said.
The FDA’s routine market testing uncovered the contamination, prompting the advisory. The affected products may cause symptoms such as rashes, red bumps, lesions, and in severe cases, permanent scarring. Officials also warned that such infections could be misdiagnosed as allergic reactions, potentially delaying proper treatment.
Tattoo-related infections can pose significant health risks, particularly when untreated. The FDA strongly advises anyone considering a tattoo to speak with their artist about the inks being used and to specifically avoid Raven Black and Sunny Daze from Sacred Tattoo Ink.
Retailers and tattoo professionals are instructed to immediately discontinue use and distribution of the contaminated products. The FDA said it is continuing to work with manufacturers and distributors to remove the inks from the market.
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