Can tattoo ink make you sick?

The main things for you to consider before getting a tattoo is that you have it done at a reputable studio and are happy that it is clean and hygienic.

There is also more chance of liver damage from toxic loading of the heavy metals, However, reactions are more likely to be localised in the form of skin swelling, itching and breakdown of the tattoo and surrounding tissues.

You can become ill after just your first visit to the tattoo studio, more likely if you visit an overseas studio, where the regulations and hygiene may be questionable and where they may brew their own ink from whatever is at hand.

Alternatively, you may react to one of the new inks after just 1 tattoo, and you will continue to be ill for as long as the ink is in your body. The only way to safely remove the ink in this instance is with the assistance of a medical practitioner who can monitor your progress and advise you of new symptoms to look out for during your removal treatments. It is becoming more accepted within the medical community that the massive increase over the past 10 - 20 years of non specific malaise' such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be directly attributed to the increase in popularity of tattoos and other injectables.

Photo shows ink allergy on new ink after 4 days. Initial swelling, redness and blisters have subsided. Ink being ejected through blistering and design has become patchy.