If the local anesthetic is used incorrectly, it can cause damage to the cornea upon contact with the eyes. It can also affect the end result of the tattoo if it is mixed with the tattoo color.

- Unfortunately, it appears that companies in good faith buy non-approved anesthetics on the web. It is serious because one does not know what they contain and incorrect use can lead to injuries and that the tattoo will not be as the customer intended, says Elin Maria Bergsten, investigator at the Swedish Medicines Agency, in a press release.

In order to be sold in Sweden, local anesthetic preparations must comply with the regulations for medicines, which means that they must be approved by the Swedish Medicines Agency and may only be sold at pharmacies.

- We want to emphasize that the anesthetics used are drugs and that comes with risks. One should be aware of what is in the package leaflet, says Elin Maria Bergsten to SVT News.

The Swedish Medicines Agency believes that the anesthetics are used in salons, by staff who are not trained healthcare personnel. There is a risk that products will be purchased that the employees are not aware of.

Choose carefully

In order for the consumer to feel confident that the person buying the service knows what they are doing, thorough research is required from the customer's side.

- Choose a tattoo artist with care, someone who you know uses colors that meet the rules and for whom you feel confident, says Elin Maria Bergsten.

- Use of anesthetic drugs should be purchased by the customer himself at a pharmacy and have Swedish labeling. Do not accept another stunning that you do not know what it contains, she continues.

The Swedish Medicines Agency encourages consumers who have had problems after treatment with local anesthetic substances to seek treatment if needed and contact the Swedish Medicines Agency to report the side effect.