Recently, as semi-permanent makeup that adds color to eyebrows, lips, etc., and scalp tattoos have become popular, the size of the tattoo market is expanding. As a result of the Consumer Agency’s investigation, hazardous substances exceeding domestic safety standards were detected in 20 out of 24 products (83.3%) investigated.
Accordingly, the Korea Consumer Agency (Director Soo-Hyun Yoon) investigated the safety of 24 tattoo dye products currently on the market, and found that 21 products (87.5%) contained hazardous substances exceeding domestic and international safety standards, requiring consumer caution.
Tattoo dyes must comply with the safety requirements for hazardous substances according to the ‘Designation and Safety/Label Standards for Household Chemical Products Subject to Safety Confirmation (Ministry of Environment Notice No. 2024-89).’ However, as a result of the test, prohibited substances and harmful substances exceeding content limits were detected in 20 out of 24 (83.3%) products investigated.
Looking at it in detail, 9 out of 10 semi-permanent makeup dyes (90.0%) contain banned substances such as nickel, lead, arsenic, and naphthalene, as well as zinc (170, 239 mg/kg) and copper (276, 295 mg/kg) was detected.
In addition, 8 out of 10 scalp tattoo dye products (80.0%) contain prohibited substances such as nickel, lead, and arsenic, as well as zinc (75, 96 mg/kg), copper (290 mg/kg), and copper (290 mg/kg), which exceed the content limit standards. Benzo-a-pyrene (0.052 mg/kg) was detected, among the four dyes for permanent tattoos. Nickel, a prohibited substance, was detected in three (75.0%) products.
The detection limit refers to the suggested limit for substances that are unintentionally contained in a product and cannot be removed technically.
For reference, △Nickel causes eczema such as allergic dermatitis, erythema, and edema, and is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC). △Lead can cause symptoms such as kidney and reproductive dysfunction, and is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC).
In addition, △Arsenic causes fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stool, and is classified as a human carcinogen (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC), and △Naphthalene causes skin irritation and dermatitis. ·It can cause hemolytic anemia and is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC). △Zinc can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache, respiratory pressure, chills, and gastroenteritis if the exposure amount is excessive.
Copper causes hypersensitivity dermatitis and germ cell mutations upon repeated contact, and benzo-a-pyrene[a]pyrene) is classified as a human carcinogen (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC).
The European Union is restricting the use of substances that can cause eye and skin irritation in tattoo dyes through the 2022 REACH (Emerging Chemicals Control) regulation revision (EU 2020/2081). As a result of the test, Benzylisothiazolinone (BIT), Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and 2-phenoxyethanol exceeding the European Union standards were detected in 8 out of 24 (33.3%) products investigated.
Since tattoo dye is a substance that is injected directly into the dermal layer of the skin, there is a need to strengthen safety standards such as expanding the content limits of harmful substances like in the European Union.
For reference, BIT (benzisothiazolinone) causes irritation to the skin and eyes, and exposure to the eyes can cause severe eye irritation and allergic reactions.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) has the potential to cause skin burns and eye damage. 2-phenoxyethanol is a strong irritant to skin and eyes.
In this investigation, the Korea Consumer Agency recommended corrective action, such as suspension of sales, to businesses that imported, manufactured, or sold products with hazardous substances detected in excess of domestic and European standards, and corrective action, such as suspension of sale, for businesses of 21 products in which hazardous substances were detected. The plan was sent back. In addition, we plan to request related ministries to review △strengthening management and supervision of tattoo dyes and △expanding the management target substances in tattoo dyes.
