Tattoos are a mainstream thing these days. For that reason, most people assume that getting a tattoo is safe. After all, you can walk your fingers through the virtual yellow pages and easily find a shop where you can go to get a tattoo. But the Food and Drug Administration has recently expressed some concerns about the actual safety of tattoos and they're doing an investigation into the practice of tattooing. At the same time, they're updating their recommendations about tattoo removal. The information that they provide is helpful in assisting you in making the right tattoo removal decisions. What the FDA is primarily concerned with is the inks that are used in tattoos. In the past, these have not been regulated by the FDA but reports of problems from some people have encouraged them to take a closer look at the possible need for regulating these inks. What they're saying right now is that there are, as one would expect, some risks with getting a tattoo but that there are further studies necessary to fully understand those risks. So what about tattoo removal? The FDA's consumer updateon the issue makes two good points that you should consider when thinking about tattoo removal.
1. Despite the fact that they don't regulate tattoo inks, getting a laser tattoo removal machine onto the market does require the permission of the FDA. The laser tattoo removal equipment on the market today has gone through this process of obtaining approval.
2. Tattoo removal is a serious process which requires the assistance of a qualified doctor. It's not something that you should do yourself. And it's something that you should be looking to a health care professional for, rather than just any old tattoo removal spa on your street.
It'll be interesting to see what changes come about, if any, as a result of this inquiry into tattooing by the FDA. Question of the Day: Do you think there is a link between the FDA's interest in tattooing and the new tattoo inks that just came out on the market?
