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Spanish tattoos have metallic ink?

Nanc

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances (Sept 2016)
SDC/ Finesterre/ Muxia (2016)
we have had some wonderful threads on tattoo souvenirs of the Camino, and some looking for a tattoo in Santiago.
During a recent conversation with an MRI technician, he related that tattoos outside the USA often use metallic ink which can cause burns during an MRI (This is different than my previous understanding that the issue was having a NEW tattoo).
Does anyone know if tattoos in Spain utilize such an ink?
(as I age and face my MRI, I wonder)
nanc
 
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I wonder where you MRI-person got his information. This borders on an urban myth. All things tattoos are regulated on a European level. The list of forbidden substances is long and can be consulted here: https://www.aemps.gob.es/cosmeticosHigiene/cosmeticos/docs/resolucionCE-tatuajes_junio-2008.pdf
Decisions and Regulations of the EU are also available on-line in English.

The Xunta of Galicia monitors the products used in tattoos and publishes alerts about inks and materials for piercings:
http://www.sergas.es/Saude-publica/Alertas-tintas-e-produtos-piercing

Since 2005 this community has carried out a health surveillance program for tattoo centers, micropigmentation and piercing. Since 2008, the actions of the program have been based on risk assessment, in order to prioritize the actions and to provide more appropriately the available human and material resources.
http://www.sergas.es/Saude-publica/Tatuaxe-micropigmentacion-e-piercing?idioma=es

Only tattoos older than 20 years may contain metal. As for MRI scans, there are alternatives, as there are for persons with pacemakers or metal hip replacements.
 
Thank you for this information
Perhaps regulations outside EU are different
I was asking re Spain but he did not soecify a region
 
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ALL tattoos have heavy metals in them. Every MRI technician has to ask and warn about tattoos, and about whether you have ever worked with metals (welding, cutting, grinding—as we would have done in shop class as kids across North America.).
I have three tattoos, and have had an MRI ... unless you are really covered, they are not generally important, but some can feel a little warm (particularly red inks and heavy black ink work). My three are fine line, and none will ever even warm up, but the MRI tech still must warn me.
If you want to worry about inks, worry about reds as they are the typical culprit in any allergic reaction (from the cadmium).
 

Great info! best to err o the side that assumes that all inks still contain some metals because so many variables enter into the supply. My inks are “vegan” — no seashells ground into them to give the extra sheen of usual inks. Many people are unaware that inks typically contain seashells as well as metals and charcoal (in traditional India Ink).
 
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