FDA Offers Webinar on Tattoos and Infection Risks

Are tattoos and permanent makeup safe? Learn about the inks and pigments used in tattoos and permanent makeup during a 30-minute webinar hosted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s Office of Cosmetics and Colors. The featured speaker is Bhakti Petigara Harp, PhD, of the Office of Cosmetics and Colors, Division of Color Certification and Technology, in FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Harp will address problems that have occurred with the use of these inks, such as allergic reactions, infections, and scarring, and will address FDA's response to these occurrences. Misrepresentation of these inks and pigments as "FDA approved" will also be discussed. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions following the presentation.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 15 at 2 p.m. ET. To join the webinar, see the instructions at: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm246155.htm