Tattoos can be dangerous, and we're not talking about dirty needles

The dangers of getting a tattoo using dirty needles has become common knowledge. Once news spread that HIV and hepatitis were being spread through the reuse of tattoo needles, most consumers started demanding sterile, new tattoo needles and the industry stepped up to meet the new demands. But simply making sure that the needles are safe doesn't make getting a tattoo risk-free.

The government doesn't control the tattoo industry, and there is no license required to become a tattoo artist. That's a little scary considering you're trusting this person to inject a substance into your body. And because there's no government regulations on this industry, it means the supplies are also unregulated. New research shows that the pigments being used for tattoos are often toxic, containing lead or carcinogenic chemicals. In some cases the dye being used as pigment was not intended for tattoo use at all.

If you're considering getting a tattoo, first of course make sure that sterile, new needles will be used. Then ask for proof of where the pigments came from and what they're made of. A good tattoo parlor will be educated about their supplies and have nothing to hide.