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Over the last few decades, tattoos have gained wide popularity. Recent surveys indicate that between 30 percent and 44 percent of adults in the United States have tattoos. Women are more inclined than men to engage in this self-expression on their skin. A tattoo artist, with the help of a needle, will place ink into the dermis of the skin.
Although popular, these etchings of self-expression come with health risks. Each time the artist punctures the skin to apply ink into the second layer of skin, the dermis, the skin is damaged. There is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the ink used, and skin infection may occur. Keloids or other skin overgrowths might also occur. There is also the chance of transmitting Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV with an unsanitary needle.
The tattoo ink can even interfere with the results of an MRI.
The long-term effects of having this ink applied to your skin are relatively new questions that researchers are now examining.
Currently, the FDA has only evaluated the safety of these inks for external use, not for injection under the skin.
Researchers in Canada are looking into whether there is a correlation between cancer and tattoos. Cancerous lesions have been detected within tattoos. The question remains whether the ink in the tattoo contributed to the development of cancer in the body. This is a difficult question to answer, as there are thousands of colors of ink, and many tattoos incorporate multiple colors within them. Researchers must also consider a person’s exposure from having numerous tattoos. It is also essential to look at a person’s lifestyle choices and their potential effects on the development of cancer. Such choices are smoking, alcohol consumption, and can even be associated with one’s socioeconomic status.
Canada and the European Union have prohibited the use of a group of ingredients often used in inks that are considered mutagenic, carcinogenic and toxic. These inks often cause skin sensitization and irritation. Tattoo ink is regularly checked to ensure it is free from bacteria and other contaminants. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does none of this; therefore, any ink may be used. The FDA is involved if adverse reactions have occurred with ink, which, in my opinion, is too late.
Non-organic inks can contain metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, mercury, cadmium, or chromium. Acrylics and synthetic pigments are often used to promote color retention.
The pigments of organic inks may be plant-based or carbon-based. These inks tend to fade faster because they lack the metallic or synthetic stabilizers found in the non-organic inks.
The FDA requires accurate labeling of products; however, a recent U.S. study found that 83 percent of the inks had significant label discrepancies.
Many of the metals used in the ink are known carcinogens. So, what are the risks of cancer with their use? As the body breaks down the ink, the pigment will be transported to the lymph nodes, the ink’s final resting place. Here, pigments can cause chronic inflammation and carcinogenic processes over time.
