Some Scary Shit

[Dan S]

I copied this straight out form Reuters, but thought it was important enough to steal it and put the link here as well.

Tattoo infections in U.S. linked to contaminated ink

By Gene Emery

Aug 22 (Reuters Health) - Contaminated tattoo ink caused at least 22 skin and soft tissue infections last fall in four U.S. states, according to an analysis released on Wednesday.

The infections prompted an investigation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that uncovered 22 confirmed cases, 4 probable cases and 27 possible cases of contamination-related infections in New York, Washington, Iowa and Colorado.

Products from four companies were implicated during the probe. None of the companies is identified in a CDC report, released in conjunction with a New England Journal of Medicine study of the New York cases.

"People who get tattoos must be made aware of this risk and seek medical attention" if they get a rash or other abnormalities at the site, according to a commentary in the journal from a team led by Pamela LeBlanc of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The bacteria got into the containers when the manufacturer used distilled or reverse-osmosis water, which is not necessarily sterile. In the New York cases, which led to a recall by the Arizona-based manufacturer, the water was used to dilute black ink into various shades of gray.

The New York cases involved infection with a bug called Mycobacterium chelonae, which caused reddish or purple raised bumps in the areas tattooed with gray. The infection can mimic an allergic reaction and be difficult to treat.

"They were not getting better" with standard care, said Dr. Byron Kennedy of the Monroe County Department of Public Health in New York, the chief author of the New England Journal of Medicine study. "You had some folks who were on treatment for 6 months or more."

The FDA does not directly regulate tattoo ink because it is regarded as a cosmetic, but it can intervene when a product has been adulterated or is regarded as unsafe.

Currently, no FDA regulation specifically requires tattoo ink to be sterile, but some local jurisdictions, such as Los Angeles County, do require that sterile water be used when inks are diluted, according to the CDC report.

CDC is encouraging doctors to keep track of such infections and report them to the FDA.

About one in five Americans has tattoos, according to a 2012 Harris Interactive poll. SOURCES: bit.ly/PwHriF New England Journal of Medicine, August 23, 2012, and 1.usa.gov/10AZNP MMWR, August 22, 2012 (Reporting by Gene Emery in Providence, Rhode Island; Editing by Ivan Oransky and Cynthia Osterman)

Tattoo infections in U.S. linked to contaminated ink | Reuters

[harry878]

I saw the article in the new england journal of medicine last night... Anyone know the name/brand of the ink that was contaminated?

[CultExciter]

Ha. Skin Candy.

[slayer9019]

Yea heard this on WSOU yesterday. I wish they stated the brand as it is kinda important.

[Dan S]

he FDA article...doesn't name names, but it shood narrow it down enough for people in the industry to figure it out.

Tattoo Inks Pose Health Risks

[Kev Tijerina]

"The bacteria got into the containers when the manufacturer used distilled or reverse-osmosis water, which is not necessarily sterile. In the New York cases, which led to a recall by the Arizona-based manufacturer, the water was used to dilute black ink into various shades of gray."

Sounds suspect. I know they make gray wash ink, but every tattooer I've been to mixes down their own. Seems like the FDA is trying to regulate/tax something else like they want to do with natural supplements ( have to get a prescription for ginseng or an herbal multi-vitamin, not thanks)

[Dan S]

@Kev, I think that's 'crat-speak for "the manufacturers used the water to dilute the ink".

A script for ginseng???? You need to move, Carnal!

[irezumi]

Tattoo infections linked to bad ink

The problem has been traced to a premixed ink that a tattoo artist purchased at a trade show in Arizona. The product, Catfish Carl’s Realistic Washes, has been voluntarily recalled by the maker.

never heard of this stuff, but I bet Catfish is never gonna live this one down.

[sbrookins]

Tattoo infections linked to bad ink



never heard of this stuff, but I bet Catfish is never gonna live this one down.

First mistake was buying realistic washes.. shit got too real

[Chris1963]

That aint cool. Just to set the record straight it was Catfish Carls wash. Bummer for them I thought it was a great product.

Cult- How about I post the worst tattoo Ive seen and credit you with it? or let peeps know you have hep C?

Love or hate Skin Candy / Bloodline, since 1996 we've never had a lawsuit with regards to a reaction from one of our inks....ever. We've invested close to $500,000 in sterile manufacturing equipment and processes to safegaurd this kind of shit from happening to YOUR clients. Our ink is dispensed and blended in a pharmacy/food grade processing machine in a 16'x56' clean room.

Again, love or hate us for what we do or what we've done, you can't dispute our commitment to your clients health and safety.

I just hope Catfish carries the $2million product liability the rest of us have to?