EU has banned coloured ink tattoos. What is the tattoo scene in India?

Getting a permanent tattoo is a life decision; whether you make the decision when drunk or conscious is another matter. It involves a needle that comes in contact with a person’s skin, blood and plasma, which drops the ink inside the middle layer of the skin called the dermis, where it stays forever. It is an art and it is also science, as mistakes can even cost the customer their life.

In India, it is considered part of the tradition in many communities. In the modern age, one may come across a tattoo taboo, a sneer, or an exit from government jobs as well.

But what’s more important to think about while getting inked is your safety and health.

The European Union is doing just that, legally. The EU outlawed the use of nearly 4,000 chemicals used in tattoo inks and permanent make-up products from January 4, 2022, citing health concerns. EU says they want to make tattooing and permanent make-up safer for people.

The new rules form part of the update to EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation that dates back to December 2006. The updates were agreed upon by EU members almost a year ago. Businesses were given a 12-month transition period to find alternate products as replacements. The common tattoo hues, ‘Pigment Green 7’ and ‘Pigment Blue 15:3’, have been given a grace period of 24 months since their alternatives are hard to find.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH CONCERNS?  

EU officials say that the chemicals can cause health problems from skin irritation to worse, cancer, as some may contain carcinogenic substances. The Independent reported that some of the outlawed chemicals include certain azodyes, carcinogenic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals and methanol.

Products containing the banned substances in quantities more than prescribed by the EU will face the market axe in the region.

THE DEBATE

RIP colored tattoos.today the EU banned the most colored tattoo colors. it's real and I'm sad. Just because blue and green pigments COULD cause cancer. COULD and it's not even 100 sure that it can and why are cigarettes even legal then?

— synakDIV | Lisa (@synaktis) January 4, 2022

The health reasons cited by the EU are still under massive debate. Research in this area is still lacking and hard evidence to link tattoo substances to cancer or other major health conditions is hard to come by.

The pandemic-hit tattoo artists and customers are using this argument to protest against the ban. Moreover, artists are facing problems procuring alternatives. 

CAN TATTOOS REALLY GIVE YOU CANCER?

The Australian Cancer Council in one study did find carcinogenic substances in inks, but they have not yet found instances of tattooing linked to cancer. However, the research explains that over the course of time, the ink in the dermis can be transported to the lymphatic system or the lymph nodes, exposing other tissues and organs in the body to the ink and potentially carcinogenic substances in it.

Other times, it is possible that the blood vessels are damaged during the inking process, leaking the ink into the bloodstream. Customers also have to do a bit of research before getting inked, like ensuring hygienic practices, use of new unused needles, etc.

REGULATIONS IN INDIA

India’s nearly Rs 20,000 crore per year tattoo industry is heavily unregulated, leaving customers vulnerable. Lack of rules or regulations means unhygienic practices run rampant. According to some reports, the body ink manufacturers banned by entities such as US FDA for producing products with harmful substances in them, are still in circulation in India.

Licensing for tattoo artists is still loosely organised in India compared to, say, the United States. However, tattoo studios still need licensing. Recently, in 2021, the Kerala state government made it mandatory for tattoo artists and studios to obtain licenses to operate businesses.

But without regulations, artists and customers alike wouldn’t be obligated to follow health safety norms and may be exposed to harmful substances.