Posted August 22, 2012 by USA Today
Permanent tattoos have become increasingly common in the United States, with 21% of adult Americans now sporting at least one, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That bit of information appears in a CDC report on 22 cases of tattoo-associated non-tuberculous mycobacterial skin infections over the past year.
The CDC says an investigation of the cases, which occurred in New York, Washington, Iowa and Colorado, finds they were caused by contaminated ink.
It says this can stem from contaminated ingredients in the manufacturing process or by tattoo artists who dilute the ink with non-sterile water.
The CDC, in perhaps a bow to the obvious, recommends using only sterile ink products and sterile water and following “appropriate hygienic practices.” (read more)
