www.fda.gov/educationresourcelibrary June 2015 1

The U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) 

reminds you to get the 

facts before you make the 

decision to get a tattoo. 

There are several types of tattoos you may be seeing, including some 

that are permanent and others that are temporary. People get tattoos for 

various reasons, such as beauty, self-expression, or cultural events. 

Whatever your reason for choosing to get a tattoo, the U.S. Food and 

Drug Administration (FDA) reminds you to know the facts before you 

make the decision to get a tattoo.

Types of Tattoos

Permanent Tattoo: A needle inserts colored ink into your skin. 

Permanent tattoos last a lifetime.

Permanent Makeup: This is a type of permanent tattoo. A needle 

inserts colored ink into your skin to look like eyeliner, lip liner, 

eyebrows, or other makeup.

Henna: Plant dye called henna or mehndi is used to stain your 

skin. A henna tattoo lasts for 3 days up to a few weeks.

Black Henna: This type of tattoo may or may not contain henna 

and may contain hair dye or other dye to make it darker and 

longer lasting.

Decal temporary tattoos: Some decal tattoos have a backing that 

is removed with water when applying the design directly to your 

skin. Others have a backing that sticks to your skin. Decal tattoos 

may last for a day or up to a week or more.

Tattoo Risks 

Tattoos can have health effects, and some of these effects can last a 

lifetime. Tattoo risks include:

• Infections and serious illness from unclean tattoo tools, practices, 

or products.

• Allergic reactions to the inks or stains can cause skin problems, 

such as rashes.

• Other skin problems, like increased chance of sunburn, rashes, 

redness, or scarring.

• Swelling and burning of some permanent tattoos when you get 

an MRI test.

If you have questions about safety practices at tattoo parlors, contact 

the state or local health department that regulates them in your area. 

In addition, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any tattoos 

you have before undergoing any type of medical procedure.

COSMETICS FACTS

From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Tattoos and Permanent Makeup
2

C SMETICS FACTS

FDA’s Role

It is important to understand FDA’s role in monitoring the safety of tattoos. You should also be aware of what has not

been approved by FDA. 

FDA has not/does not do the following:

• FDA has not approved any inks for injection into your skin.

• FDA has not approved henna or hair dye for use on your 

skin. Some people have reported serious problems after 

using temporary tattoos marketed as henna or black henna.

• FDA does not regulate practices in tattoo parlors. Usually, 

this is the job of state or local health departments.

FDA does take the following actions to 

promote consumer safety:

• FDA monitors problems from tattoos and 

permanent make-up.

• FDA alerts the public at http://www.fda.gov/

cosmetics when we become aware of a 

problem.

When FDA becomes aware of a problem, we work with tattoo ink suppliers to make sure that their recalls of 

problem inks are effective. FDA encourages individuals to report problems to FDA in either of these ways:

• Contact MedWatch, FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

 1. By Phone: 1-800-FDA-1088

2. Online: File a voluntary report at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch

• Contact the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area. Locate one here: 

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators

Removing Your Permanent Tattoo

Permanent tattoos can be hard and painful to remove. Removal may 

also take several treatments and cost a lot of money. Options for tattoo 

removal include: 

Laser Removal: FDA has approved certain laser devices to remove 

tattoos. Lighter colors such as yellow, green, and red are more difficult 

to remove than darker colors such as dark blue and black. It may take 

6 to 10 treatments to remove a tattoo. Some side effects may include 

bleeding, redness, or soreness. 

Surgery: Tattoos can sometimes be removed by cutting out the 

tattooed skin, then sewing the skin back together. Other times, the 

skin can be sanded down to remove the tattoo. Either way, there will 

be some scarring.

Ointments and Creams: FDA has not approved tattoo removal 

ointments and creams or do-it-yourself tattoo removal kits. These 

products may cause skin rashes, burns, or scars.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about the 

options for tattoo removal, and remember 

to keep these facts in mind:

• You may not be able to completely 

remove your tattoo.

• Removing your tattoo could leave a scar. 

To learn more about tattoos, visit: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/ucm107327.htm

June 2015

For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s Food and 

Cosmetic Information Center at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll free), Monday through Friday 10 AM to 4 PM ET (except Thursdays from 

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM ET and Federal holidays). Or, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/educationresourcelibrary