What is the CDC's recommended practice for tattoo ink?

• A. Ink must be sterile and never diluted with non-sterile water
• B. Ink may be diluted with tap water
• C. Ink should be diluted with boiled water
• D. Ink should be stored at room temperature

Answer: (A)

The key idea is infection prevention through keeping tattoo ink sterile and not diluting it with non-sterile water. When ink is injected into the skin, any contaminants in the ink can be carried deep into tissue, leading to local infections, abscesses, or other serious complications. Using ink that is already sterile and avoiding dilution with water that hasn’t been proven sterile minimizes the chance of introducing bacteria, fungi, or endotoxins into the wound. In practice, ink should be used as provided, from sealed, manufacturer-approved sources, and should not be mixed with non-sterile liquids. Diluting with tap water can introduce microbes, while diluting with boiled water still doesn’t guarantee sterility and can complicate pigment consistency and safety. Simply storing ink at room temperature does not address the risk of contamination.