Transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses or immunodeficiency, bacterial infections... Tattooing poses health risks related to uses and products. While this practice concerns an increasing share of the French population, the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) reminds in an opinion of 15 December 2020 that these risks can be controlled by observing hygiene measures and makes recommendations.
The risks apply to all aspects of this technique: practices, professionals, products and materials, tattooed persons, transmission of information, follow-up of acts.
Thus, among 45 recommendations, the HCSP recommends:
authorize tattooing for minors only from the age of 16 with the written consent of a person with parental authority, and limit the area and overall area of the tattoo;
prohibit the use of chemicals for tattoo removal and reserve this procedure for doctors who use only the appropriate laser;
create a log of interventions to be given to clients, where each act of tattooing and de-tattooing is noted with the constituents or materials used;
to use only the defined term prescribed by
permanent make-up
and no longer use the
semi-permanent make-up
;
to provide continuous training for persons carrying out permanent tattoos or make-up, e.g. by means of a refresher module every 5 years;
make validated information on tattooing and tattooing available to the general public.
FYI
People who have been tattooed are strongly encouraged to report any adverse reactions they suspect may be related to this act on the portal signaling-santé.gouv.fror a health care practitioner who can do the procedure.
