Long-Term Health Effects of Tattoos – Can It Cause Cancer?

19 Feb Long-Term Health Effects of Tattoos – Can It Cause Cancer?

Want to get tattooed? 

Today, tattoos are more popular than ever and its craze doesn’t seem to go anywhere any soon. 

In fact, more than 20% of US adults already have some kind of tattoo. 

Notably, it’s permanent body art, and you must know what it contains and the long-term effects of tattoos before you get it done. 

Interestingly, can tattoos cause cancer happens to be the most common query from those who have ever come up with the thought of getting inked? 

Not to scare you, but tattoos come with their fair share of numerous health issues. And out of all the negative effects, the prospect of tattoos causing cancer is what sounds the scariest. 

So, without any further delay, let’s dig a little deeper and find out are tattoos toxic to the body.

Can Tattoos Cause Cancer: Is There a Real Harm? 

The significance of a tattoo can vary from person to person depending on their motives behind getting one. 

While some use it to show their love towards the art, others use it to show the love towards their near ones. 

But despite all these positive effects of tattoos, the fact that tattoo ink gets injected into your body makes many question the safety of its usage. 

Moreover, scientists have been trying to find out how can tattoos cause skin cancer. 

And the result of the relationship between tattoos and skin cancer is overwhelming. 

The study showed some cases of malignancies, such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and keratoacanthomas. 

However, scientists are still unclear about the role of tattoos in causing skin cancer. 

In another observation, it was found that there was a significant amount of potential carcinogenic in the tattoo inks. 

The study found 50 cases of skin cancer associated with tattoos. However, the cases were low and its association was considered coincidental.

Still, this much evidence is enough to make one concerned.

So…

How Can Tattoos Cause Health Problems?

Tattoos are gaining popularity with every passing year. But unlike that, the rules regarding the safety measures aren’t clear yet.

Every now and then the cases of tattoo ink toxicity put a question mark on the health risks of getting a tattoo. 

It’s important to realize that tattoos are permanent marks and the process of getting one includes using needles and colored inks on the skin’s surface. 

Henceforth, the long-term health risks of tattoos vary from different skin diseases to needle infections. 

By the same token, the amalgamation of tattoo ink in bloodstream also gives rise to some serious health issues. 

It is also true that everyone is aware of the common risks associated with tattooing. 

But, it’s quite obvious that no one ever thinks over their decision to get a tattoo when they have sentimental value attached to it.

However, let’s take the plunge and find out if there’s a real danger.

The Long Term Effects Of Tattoos

It’s not only the social stigma, miseducation, or negative effects of tattoos in society but also the long-term health risks associated with it that make people think why tattoos are bad. 

Some of the health risks of tattoos include:

#1. Allergic Reactions

#2. Skin Infections

#3. Bloodborne Diseases

#4. MRI Complications

#5. Damaged Immune System

It’s time to deeply analyze these dangers to have a better understanding.

#1. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are among the most common health risks of tattoos. 

Scaly patches, flaky skin, itching, redness, watery discharge from the tattooed place, blisters, and bumps are some of the infections. 

Along with these symptoms, if you also feel dizziness, troubled breathing, severe pain, and persistent inflammation, it’s best to take some medical help as soon as possible.

Notably, these infections occur within a few weeks of getting a tattoo. However, it could appear even years or decades later as well.

These reactions could be the result of ink allergies. People often get allergic to red and yellow ink. 

#2. Bloodborne Diseases

The process of tattooing requires skin piercing through a needle. 

In case, your tattoo artist didn’t pay enough attention to the safety measures and used unhygienic or unsterilized needles, the chances of blood infections increase. 

Infections like hepatitis b and c, HIV, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can take place with an infected needle. 

In an alike manner, when tattoo ink ingredients get absorbed in the blood, it also gives rise to blood-borne diseases.

#3. Skin Infections

Depending upon the sensitivity of the body and the color of the ink, your body can develop skin infections. 

Not to forget, if you have psoriasis, getting a tattoo may trigger skin infections or intensify the pre-existing skin infection. 

Several skin diseases that one may witness because of getting their favorite tattoo are:

• Eczema
• Lichen Planus
• Vitiligo
• Sarcoidosis

#4. MRI Complications

Who could have thought that MRI complications can also take place because of tattoos? 

To explain, during the MRI process, the permanent tattoo might burn and swell. 

Tattoos contain magnetic pigments, which, when under strong magnetic interaction, spreads out. And this swelling can interfere with the MRI images. 

#5. Damaged Immune System

According to research, the toxicity of tattoo ink hampers your immunity system. 

The toxic nanoparticles of the tattoo ink travel inside the body and infect the lymph nodes, resulting in its enlargement. 

As a matter of fact, lymph nodes are an essential part of the immunity system. 

Most of the inks have contaminants like nickel, chromium, cobalt, and magnesium for preservation. 

While how can tattoos cause cancer is yet to be completely analyzed, certain cases have shown that tattoos can give rise to cancer symptoms. 

For instance, in Australia, doctors were treating a woman for lymphoma (a type of cancer). She had classic signs of cancer like enlarged lymph nodes under the roots of her lungs and lumps under her arms. 

When further analyzed under a microscope, it was concluded that she wasn’t suffering from cancer. 

Rather it was black tattoo ink placed 15 years ago, and her immune system was reacting to it. 

By far, these are some of the long-term health effects of tattoo. 

Most of the health risks of tattoos are because of tattoo ink toxicity. 

On that note, let’s learn more about it. 

Is Tattoo Ink Toxic: What Toxic Chemicals Are In The Tattoo Ink?

Yes, tattoo inks can be toxic to your body. 

The formula of tattoo inks is mostly kept secret, and herein the danger lies.

The fact that tattoo inks are not regulated by the FDA, because they are not categorized as food, places questions over the safety of the ink. 

However, over the years, the FDA has received a lot of cases related to the adverse effects of tattoos. 

So, what exactly do tattoo inks contain?

After research, it was reported that the tattoo ink contains pigments of printer and car paint. 

Earlier, only black ink was in use to make tattoos. But with its increasing craze, even colored tattoos are now possible. In fact, they are widely prevalent. 

Notably, the ingredients of tattoo ink vary from brand to brand and each one of them claims to be safe. 

The common ingredients one may find in the tattoo ink are:

• Titanium dioxide
• Lead
• Chromium
• Nickel
• Iron oxides
• Ash
• Carbon black

Tattoo inks may contain unknown substances, and you must be careful before you put them on your body.

Tattoos that glow in the dark often feel and look attractive. However, these can penetrate inside the skin really easily. 

To elaborate, these inks contain alcohol carriers that can transport chemicals to the bloodstream. 

Furthermore, alcohol can stimulate cancer-causing substances.

Nevertheless, you can always ask the tattoo artist about the kind of tattoo ink he/she uses or can simply carry your own ink. 

There are vegan tattoo inks available as well. So, are vegan tattoo inks safe?

Apart from that, you can also take certain steps to get inked safely. 

How To Get A Safe Tattoo?

If you still want to get a tattoo, you must take all the possible safety measures to avoid any kind of health issues. 

Here’s how to get a safe tattoo:

Whether it’s a small or elaborate design, nearly everyone wants a tattoo these days. 

Not everyone’s skin is sensitive to tattoo ink and not everyone gets an infection with tattoos. But, by now, you must have understood how tattoos can cause cancer along with its possibilities.

However, the questions related to tattoos aren’t just limited to do tattoos cause cancer or can tattoo ink cause cancer. 

Hence, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to tattoos. 

FAQs

#1. Do tattoos shorten your lifespan?

According to research, the mean age of a tattooed person is 39 and of a non-tattooed person is 53 years. 

It could also be because of damaged immunity or the interaction of ink with underlying health issues. 

#2. Do tattoos compromise your immune system?

Yes, by interacting with the lymph nodes, getting a tattoo may hamper your immune system. 

#3. Do tattoos cause permanent inflammation?

Tattoos can cause inflammation for sure. However, it is hard to say if tattoos can cause permanent inflammation because the side effects of getting a tattoo vary from person to person. 

#4. Can I donate blood after getting a tattoo?

Donating blood after getting a tattoo depends on numerous factors. 

In most states, you can donate blood after getting a tattoo. Also, you must go for a blood test before you donate blood to see if you have any blood infections or not in order to avoid its spread. 

#5. Do tattoos affect your brain?

The nanoparticles of the tattoo ink may contain carcinogens and may result in a neurological disorder. 

The hard metallic ingredients in the tattoo ink can enter your bloodstream and may affect your brain. 

#6. How long does tattoo ink stay in your blood?

How long a tattoo ink stays in your blood varies from person to person. However, on average, it stays in your bloodstream for 2-5 weeks. 

At last…

Think Before You Ink!

The popularity and fanbase for tattoos have made them more than just a trend. 

People often use tattoos these days to showcase their love and care towards someone special. Or they may also get it in remembrance of a significant event in their life.

The excitement level of getting a tattoo often makes people oversee the health risks of tattoos. And those who are a little aware just want to know whether or not tattoos can cause cancer. They often overlook the other long-term health risks of getting a tattoo. 

In one sentence, tattoos don’t cause cancer. At least, there is no direct link between tattoos and cancer by far. However, there are some speculations. It can give rise to cancer-like symptoms.

If you want, tattoos can be removed. However, it requires laser treatment, surgical excision, or dermabrasion. It has its own risks involved and also it is not so pocket-friendly. 

If you are considering getting a tattoo, analyze the several health risks and at the very least take preventive measures before getting inked. 

If you know someone willing to get a tattoo, spread the word by sharing this blog. Also, don’t forget to like it and share your views in the comment section below.

READ NEXT: Types of Cancer with Symptoms and Causes