A number of popular tattoo inks have been banned across Europe because of fears of links to cancer.
Tattoo artists say there are no replacements for the inks they are now no longer allowed to use.
The new rules in the EU came into force on Tuesday.
Hamburg tattoo artist Sebastian Makowski told the German press agency the changes were effectively a partial ban on tattoos.
The EU regulations were agreed by all member states in 2000 and cover 4,000 chemicals linked to "skin allergies and other more serious health impacts, such as genetic mutations and cancer".
German dermatology scientist Wolfgang Bäumler told Die Zeit magazine that two thirds of people complain of a reaction after a tattoo.
More restrictions on tattoo inks in Europe will come into force in a year.
