Tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, with studies estimating that 30% of people aged 18-35 in Western countries having at least one tattoo. With their rising popularity, many questions have been raised about the potential health risks associated with tattoos.
Can tattoos lead to infections?
One of the biggest concerns with tattoos is the risk of infection. Since tattooing involves puncturing the skin with needles, it provides a potential entry point for germs and bacteria. If proper hygiene and sterilization practices are not followed, contaminated tattoo equipment can transmit infections such as:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Tetanus
- Herpes simplex virus
- Hepatitis B and C
- HIV
Signs of infection can include redness, swelling, pain, oozing from the tattoo site, fever, and chills. Infections require treatment with antibiotics. To minimize infection risk, it is essential to choose a reputable tattoo parlor that demonstrates strict adherence to hygienic practices and proper sterilization of tools.
What about allergic reactions to tattoo ink?
Allergic reactions to tattoo pigments and dyes are possible, especially with colored inks. Typical symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and raised areas around the tattoo site. These reactions can develop right after getting a tattoo or may occur years later.
The most common pigments causing allergic reactions include:
- Red – Made from organic compounds like cinnabar or mercury sulfide.
- Yellow – Derived from cadmium sulfide.
- Blue – Contains cobalt aluminate.
- Green – Mixture of yellow and blue pigments.
People may not know they have a preexisting allergy to these compounds. Tell your tattoo artist about any metal allergies you have so they can use hypoallergenic ink. Seek medical care if you develop signs of an allergic reaction.
Can tattoos increase the risk of skin cancer?
One longstanding concern has been that tattoo pigments, especially darker ink, could theoretically absorb more ultraviolet radiation and promote skin cancer formation. However, several studies have found no conclusive link between tattoos and increased skin cancer risk:
- A 2015 study in the International Journal of Dermatology evaluated 90 patients with melanomas and found having a tattoo did not increase melanoma risk.
- A 12-year study in 2018 looked at 300,000 women and also found no association between tattoos and skin cancer development.
Researchers believe other variables like sun exposure have a far greater impact on skin cancer risk than tattoos.
Do tattoos affect getting an MRI?
This is a common concern, but most standard tattoo pigments today will not cause issues or complications with MRIs. However, some specialty tattoo inks contain traces of metal, which can theoretically react with the strong magnets used during an MRI.
Problems are very rare, but as a precaution, tell your doctor and MRI technician about any tattoos. They may want to focus the scan away from the tattooed area or take extra imaging sequences, especially if your tattoo is new.
Can tattoos increase your risk of other infections and diseases?
There are some reports linking tattoos to increased transmission risk of certain diseases:
- Hepatitis C: Some studies have found a higher prevalence of Hep C antibodies in people with tattoos, suggesting increased exposure risk.
- HIV: Case reports of HIV transmission via tattooing have been published, but current risks are very low in professional parlors adhering to hygiene standards.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Extremely rare reports of this brain disorder after tattooing, potentially linked to contaminated equipment.
Overall, the risks are still generally considered minimal, especially when getting tattoos from reputable sources. There is no definitive evidence that tattoos alone make you more susceptible to serious infectious diseases.
Can tattoo removal cause complications?
Tattoo removal procedures, especially laser removal, can potentially cause health problems:
- Burns: Laser treatment can heat up tattoo pigments and damage surrounding skin.
- Scarring: The laser destroys tattoo ink by creating small wounds in the skin that heal into scars.
- Pigmentation changes: The treated area may remain hypopigmented (lighter than surrounding skin) or hyperpigmented.
- Infection: There is an infection risk from the open wounds created during laser therapy.
Finding an experienced dermatologist to perform the tattoo removal helps minimize the chances of complications and side effects.
Can getting a tattoo weaken your immune system?
Some people claim that the trauma of getting a tattoo temporarily weakens your immune system and makes you more prone to illness. However, research on tattoos and immune function is limited and conflicting:
- A 2016 study found no significant changes in immunoglobulin levels after getting a tattoo, suggesting no major impact on immunity.
- Another 2016 study reported decreases in white blood cells and immune function right after getting a tattoo, which later improved.
- More research is still needed to make definitive conclusions on how tattoos may alter immune function.
It’s normal to feel fatigued and sore in the days after getting a large or complex tattoo. Listen to your body and allow adequate rest for healing. Avoid stressing your immune system further by keeping up healthy lifestyle habits.
Do tattoos increase inflammation in the body?
Chronic inflammation is linked to myriad health problems. Acute inflammation right after getting a tattoo is normal as your skin heals and recovers. But some preliminary research indicates tattoos may cause ongoing systemic inflammation:
- A 2015 study found people with tattoos had higher levels of immune proteins associated with inflammation compared to untattooed individuals.
- Another 2015 study showed elevated expression of inflammation-related genes in tattooed skin samples.
However, these studies are limited, and more evidence is needed to confirm tattoos lead to lasting inflammation. If concerned, wait until any swelling and redness resolves before getting additional tattoos to avoid overlapping acute inflammation.
Can tattoo ink travel to your lymph nodes?
Yes, tattoo pigments can migrate from the skin into the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes help filter bodily fluids and contain immune cells to fight infection:
- Carbon black ink is most commonly observed in lymph nodes on pathology exams, showing up as dark or black deposits.
- Ink migration seems to happen frequently with both professional and homemade tattoos.
- One study found tattoo pigment in lymph nodes in nearly all cadavers with tattoos.
However, the long-term health relevance of this ink migration is unclear. There’s no definitive evidence that it routinely causes lymph node enlargement, damage, or impairment of immune function.
Should people with health conditions avoid tattoos?
It’s reasonable for people with certain medical conditions to exercise caution with tattoos or avoid them altogether due to higher health risks:
- Diabetes: Impaired wound healing increases infection risk.
- Immune disorders: Decreased ability to fight infections makes infections more likely.
- Skin disorders like psoriasis or eczema: Chronic skin inflammation can flare after tattooing.
- Heart problems: Risk of bacterial endocarditis from infections.
- Allergies and sensitivities: Predisposition to reactions from inks.
Talk to your doctor if you have any medical concerns about getting a tattoo safely.
Does the ink used matter for health?
The composition and purity of tattoo inks have evolved over time. In general, ink that adheres to higher production standards may have fewer health risks:
- Always opt for sterile packaged inks – avoid decanted or open inks that can cause infections.
- Inks approved for medical/surgical application, like for permanent makeup, undergo more safety testing.
- Vegan/organic inks minimize chemical ingredients that could irritate skin.
- Reputable companies manufacture inks under good manufacturing practices (GMP).
Certain colors with hazardous heavy metal ingredients like mercury, lead, and cobalt have declined with modern ink manufacturing. However, risks still exist with lower-grade inks.
Ink Ingredients to Avoid
| Ingredient | Health Risks |
|---|---|
| Mercury | Toxic heavy metal that can damage the brain and kidneys. |
| Lead | Toxic heavy metal that accumulates in bones and affects neurologic development. |
| Cobalt | Carcinogenic; can cause skin and respiratory sensitization. |
| Cadmium | Toxic heavy metal that is carcinogenic and causes kidney and liver damage. |
| Nickel | Common allergen; can cause skin irritation. |
| Chromium | Toxic carcinogenic heavy metal. |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Carcinogenic organic compound. |
Do tattoos pose risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Some women choose to get tattoos to memorialize their pregnancy. However, doctors recommend against getting tattoos during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to potential health risks:
- Increased risk of infections that could impact the health of mom and baby.
- Safety of tattoo ink ingredients are unknown – traces could potentially pass to the fetus.
- Possibility of ink particles being transmitted through breastmilk.
- Changes in pregnancy body size make it hard to properly place and design a tattoo.
If you already have tattoos prior to pregnancy, they should not cause issues. Focus on taking care of your skin as it stretches to avoid problems from blurring and distorted tattoos.
Do tattoos permanently damage skin?
Tattoos inevitably involve some degree of tissue damage from the needle penetrating skin and depositing ink:
- The dermis layer of skin is most impacted, where the ink particles are deposited and trapped.
- Scarring is expected due to the skin’s trauma response and as part of healing.
- Sun exposure over time degrades the collagen structure of tattooed skin.
However, most evidence indicates tattoos do not permanently compromise deeper skin integrity or structure. With proper aftercare, the skin can heal reasonably well. Long-term skin health still requires sun protection and hydration like all skin.
Do finger tattoos carry unique risks?
Finger tattoos have grown trendy despite notoriously not lasting. The thin skin and frequent use of hands mean finger tattoos are prone to more problems:
- Higher rate of fading and blurring quickly.
- Increased chance of blowouts with ink spreading under the skin.
- More likely to develop scabbing and lose more ink as scabs fall off.
- Sun exposure and handwashing speed up fading.
- Higher infection risk as hands come into contact with more germs.
If you want a finger tattoo, maximize longevity by getting a bold design in black ink and touch it up frequently as it starts to fade. Carefully clean and moisturize the tattoo as it heals.
Conclusion
Ultimately, modern research suggests tattoos pose few significant or long-term health risks when obtained under safe, regulated conditions. However, some risks remain, and people should weigh them carefully against their desire for body art. If you do decide to get a tattoo, choose an experienced, licensed tattoo artist who follows strict hygiene and disinfection practices. Ask questions to learn what inks and pigments they use. Follow all aftercare directions carefully as your tattoo heals.
With millions of tattooed people worldwide, most do not report major health complications. But some risks require more research, especially related to certain ingredients in tattoo ink and possible impacts on the immune system and inflammation. If concerned about minimizing health risks, avoid getting tattoos with a partner, avoid decorative tattoo over scars or moles, use vegan and organic inks when possible, and consider whether any preexisting conditions make you more vulnerable to problems. While not risk-free, tattoos generally pose low health hazards, especially when you choose an expert tattooist.