This review summarizes the current regulatory status of tattoos in all their versions in the European Union framework, as well as the analytical approaches developed so far to control the safety of this type of products. Publications from the last two decades (2000-2019) have been reviewed in which body-decorating products have become more and more popular. Tattoo inks, permanent make-up, sticker tattoos, and henna-based products are covered. The report highlights that there is no unique regulation for body art products, conforming a complex legislative framework even within the European community. The labelling of tattoo related products is generally non-existent or incorrect. It is therefore very difficult to know their chemical composition in detail. Pigments are ingredients common to all types of tattoos, so they are the most covered compounds in this review, along with their impurities and degradation products, including aromatic amines, metals or PAH. Other types of undesirable compounds are also included, such as plasticizers or para-phenylenediamine. Although the development of methods of analysis has increased in recent times, there is still margin for improvement in the analytical coverage of this topic. The challenge is, indeed, a systematic analytical approach to control body-decorating products, but ideally within a clear and common harmonised regulatory framework. Finally, tattoo-based sensors for biomonitoring have also been included in this review, since although its purpose is not decorative; its clinical importance is very relevant.
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