Numbing Creams Can Have Life Threatening Side Effects

The question recently arose on Follow the Ink whether tattooing should have pain or be pain free?

So far everyone that has commented believes that the pain should be part of the tattooing process. But there is an option of topical numbing or anesthetic creams.

On February 6 the FDA released a Public Health Advisory alerting people to the potential hazards of topical anesthetics.

The FDA is aware that the topical anesthetics such as AstraZeneca’s EMLA numbing cream and patch are used prior to medical, cosmetic and tattoo procedures to relieve

• pain


• burning


• itching

The topical anesthetics should only be applied by a medical professional according to the FDA. They explain this is because of the adverse effects of mistreating the cream.

If there is an excessive amount applied, it remains on the skin for a long time or is covered increases the amount released into your blood stream.

This chance of course increases when you include a cosmetic or tattoo procedure.

People worried about getting a tattoo like its pain blocking attributes, but the misuse of the anesthetics can lead to life threatening side effects.

High levels enter the blood stream could lead to

• Irregular heartbeat



• Seizures



• Coma



• Slowed or stopped breathing



• Possibly even death from the toxic effects

Back in December 2007 the FDA also released a warning to the five big companies to stop selling standardized topical anesthetic creams.

I think that the pain is part of the rite of passage in getting a tattoo. Enduring that burden is part of what I think is fundamental to having the privilege of such artwork for everyone to see!

Photo courtesy of EMLA

Related Links & Articles:

EMLA Web site

Description of EMLA numbing cream

Wikipedia on the subject

Friends Letting Friends Tattoo

Where do the independent tattoo artists fit in with the FDA’s decision to begin researching tattoo pigments and officials increasingly cracking down on tattoo health permits?

Recently Oliver Freeman, got his first tattoo and it was done by an independent artist, someone not working out of a shop.

Erica Aragon, the tattoo artist, is working on the Shawn Anthony Magic Present Mystified tour with Freeman. Aragon, who acts as Shawn Anthony’s personal assistant, is affiliated with a tattoo shop in Florida. Currently, she is attempting to gain references in Virginia so she may officially file to be licensed here.

Despite her Florida only affiliation, Aragon tattooed Freeman and a second person in the same night.

According to Freeman, she used clean needles and gloves during the tattooing.

“She’s clean and all,” said Freeman. “She had a whole set up.”

Aragon set up shop inside the living room of one of their fellow co-workers and began issuing tattoos.

Freeman said he was overall very pleased with his first tattoo, which is actually the logo for his independent sound and music productions, RauchenWolf.

Following the tattoo process, Aragon neglected to explain how to clean and take care of the healing tattoo. Taking care of a new tattoo is key to it having a long, non-fading life. Freeman feels confident though because he knows he can always contact her with questions.

This situation leaves many questions in the air…

• Is it more comfortable getting tattooed by a friend or a shop artist?
• With a stranger, would you feel more comfortable asking prodding questions about their cleanliness?
• Do you feel safer getting tattooed by a friend or a shop artist?

I’m in the process of scheduling an interview with Aragon so she can explain the steps she takes to sterilize her tools and steps she takes protect her customers and herself.

So until next time, think twice, ink once...

Officials Begin to Examine Tattoo Health Risks

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!

Not only is it Valentine’s Day but it’s also my 23 birthday! I love celebrating this holiday on top of the birthday fun!

Picture courtesy of Flickr.

So haven’t stopped by Marlowe’s Ink yet, but it’s coming up this week (delay echoes from my birthday…)

But on the topic of tattoo shops, I read recently on Middletown Journal that an Ohio tattoo shop was closed after a police sting and the arrest of the shop owner for not having a health permit.

Ohio police aren’t the only officials to crack down on the health aspect of tattoos and piercings. The FDA posted a consumer health update stating they have gotten reports of tattoo ink reactions spanning people who are newly tattooed to those with year(s) old ink. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, investigation into some of these health risk cases have lead to unlicensed tattoo artistry.

On their December 2007 consumer update, the FDA stated the following risks for getting tattoos:

• Infections such as like hepatitis and HIV
• Tattoo pigment allergic reactions
• Scarring from both getting and removing tattoos
• Small knots or bumps that form under the skin
• Very rarely tattoo swelling or burning during a MRI can occur

The FDA will be conducting research on tattoo ink pigments to determine the safety of tattoos and the human body. But until there are any conclusions and approvals, they claim no responsibility for health risks in relation to tattoos.

“The FDA has not approved any tattoo inks for injection into the skin,” said their consumer update. “And many ink pigments used are industrial strength colors suitable for printers' ink or automobile paint.”

The FDA is just starting their research, but why have they waited so long to investigate when tattoos have been increasing each year?

About 36 percent of people born between 1981 and 1988 have at least one tattoo, according to a study released in January 2007 by the Pew Research Center.

The FDA stated in the consumer update that there were other public health concerns that were more urgent.

In the mean time, don’t stop getting tattoo’s quite yet. It all depends on the individual and how their body handles allergic reactions. But, overall tattoo pigment reactions are quite uncommon.