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Tattoos, Temporary Tattoos and Henna Products

Inks used in tattoos and permanent makeup and the pigments in these inks are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives. But to date, the agency has not attempted to regulate the use of these inks and pigments. Though state and local authorities oversee the practice of tattooing, FDA is taking a closer look at complications that can result from tattoos, which include:

FDA also is monitoring reports of adverse reactions to several foreign-made temporary tattoos.

FDA urges consumers to report any problems with permanent or temporary tattoos by writing to FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Adverse Events Reporting System (CAERS) by phone at 301-436-2405 or by e-mail at CAERS@cfsan.fda.gov. Problems also can be reported to the nearest FDA district office (found in the blue pages of your phone directory).

For more information on permanent and temporary tattoos, go to the links below:

Permanent Tattoos

Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe?
FDA Warns About Adverse Effects From 'Permanent Makeup' Inks (July 2, 2004)
Tattoos and Permanent Makeup

Fact Sheet: Tattoos and Permanent Makeup
Are Tattoos and Permanent Makeup Safe?
Safety Testing of Tattoo Pigments
Prevalence and Risk Relationships of Tattoo Histories from the American Red Cross
Tattooing and Hepatitis C Infection (CDC)
Can I Get HIV from a Tattoo? (CDC)

Temporary Tattoos

Temporary Tattoos and Henna/Mehndi
Novelty Makeup

Additional Information

MEDLINEplus (NIH)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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