Think before you ink: hidden risks in tattoos

One in four Australian adults have at least one tattoo, but new research has raised fresh concerns about the safety and regulation of tattoo inks.

Tattoos have surged in popularity, worldwide, in recent years with millions of people having black/monochrome or colourful tattoos. But researchers warn that this comes with risk because there are currently few regulations, laws and safety criteria for tattoo and permanent cosmetic formulations.

The pigments that get injected into the skin can trigger allergic reactions, inflammation, and even systemic health effects.

And now a new Flinders University study has revealed that the ingredients listed on tattoo ink labels often don’t match what’s actually inside the bottle.

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The findings raise fresh concerns about the safety and regulation of tattoo inks.

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

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

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The Flinders University study analysed inks marketed as lemon yellow, golden yellow, golden rod and bright orange, containing pigments such as Yellow 14 and 65, Blue 15 and Orange 13.

The results showed not only discrepancies with label claims, but also the presence of unlisted elements such as aluminium, sodium and silicon.

Senior author Professor Claire Lenehan, says the findings highlight gaps in oversight.

Fellow environmental health researcher Benjamin Boyle adds that tattoo pigments can degrade under sun exposure, ageing, or laser removal, further compounding potential risks.

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

Acknowledgements: The research was supported by Microscopy Australia under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, through the facilities and technical assistance of Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis.