Tattoo boom: Experts study potential long-term health effects

do tattoo This has become a very popular practice in the world. It is estimated that 12% of the population in the Russian Federation and up to 32% in USAdecided to follow the trend of creating permanent marks or designs on the skin using tattoos.

Sweden is one of the most tattooed world: every fifth resident became one. A group of scientists from this country wanted to find out if there were any long-term effects and conducted a study. study who analyzed the possible effects of this type of ink on the skin.

They decided what to do Tattoos may be a risk factor for malignant lymphomatype cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s network that fights germs. Although – they admitted – they believe that this is not the final conclusionAnd More research is needed to strengthen the strength of the evidence.

The study was conducted Christel Nielsen And Mats Jerkemanfrom Lund University and Anna Saxe Yod, from the Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden. They published it in a magazine Electronic clinical medicine.

Tattoo inks are combinations of organic and inorganic color pigments. Colored inks can contain primary aromatic amines, black inks often contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals (such as arsenic, chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel) are found in all colors of ink, the Swedes said.

In the study, the authors also noted that “a significant and concerning amount of chemicals in tattoo inks are classified as carcinogens.” International Agency for Research on Cancerwhich depends on World Health Organization (WHO)

. In 2020, a panel of experts from this agency argued that research is needed on long-term effects of these substances in an article published in the journal Epidemiology of cancer.

Over the past ten years, dangerous chemicals present in tattoo inks have become the subject of attention in Europe. It was already decided there limit the use of certain inks.

Meanwhile, it has been proven that ink injected into the skin does not remain there. The tattoo process causes immune reaction which causes the tattoo ink to move away from the injection site.

“Deposition of tattoo pigment in lymph nodes has been confirmed, but long-term health consequences remain unknown,” write the Swedish scientists. So they decided to evaluate what those effects were.

The thing is The human body perceives tattoo ink as something foreign that needs to be gotten rid of.. An immune response is then generated, causing most of the tattoo ink particles to travel to the lymph nodes. But it was unknown how this might affect health.

consulted Information, Graciela ManzurHead of the Department and Department of Dermatology Clinical Hospital José de San Martin from the Faculty of Medicine University of Buenos Airesnoted: “When a person gets a tattoo, he introduces foreign material into his body, and it can react, causing various pathologies: infectious, allergic reactions and even tumors.”

Due to the possible consequences, the expert clarified that she does not recommend tattoos to her patients. “When they consult with me, I explain the various complications that can arise from the tattoo,” he said.

“A new study linking tattoos to the risk of lymphoma is a warning sign.“, emphasized the expert who is part of Ibero-Latin American College of Dermatology.

Swedish researchers conducted a large study to find out whether tattoos could increase the risk of malignant lymphoma, a rare form of cancer that affects white blood cells. They used data from National Cancer Registrywhich includes all people diagnosed with cancer in Sweden.

The work, which received funding from the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, included people who were diagnosed with lymphoma between 2007 and 2017 and were aged between 20 and 60 years. For every person with lymphoma, three random people were identified as the same sex and age but without the disease.

Participants answered a questionnaire about various lifestyle factors. Those who had tattoos responded to details such as size, age at first tattoo and colors they used. They participated in the study 5591 people

(1398 cases and 4193 controls).

When analyzing data, People with tattoos were found to have a 21% higher risk of developing lymphoma than people without tattoos.taking into account smoking habit and educational level (both factors may be associated with tattooing and the development of lymphoma).

The size of the tattoos didn’t seem to matter. What mattered was time: how long the participants had been tattooed. The risk was higher for new tattoos (received within two years) and older tattoos (received more than ten years ago).

At this time, the researchers felt that they could not yet make specific recommendations to the public about tattooing practices based solely on their study.

“More research needed before I can do it. “But research tells us that it is important for people with tattoos to realize that they can have health consequences and that you should seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms that may be related to the tattoo,” he said. The first author of the work, Dr. Nielsen, in an article in. Talk.

The Swedish team is already looking for new answers. They are conducting parallel studies of two types of skin cancer and are about to begin new studies to find out whether there is an increased risk of diseases related to the immune system, such as thyroid disease and sarcoidosis.

In dialogue with Information, Gabriela Chinatoncologist, head of the functional department of melanoma and sarcoma Institute of Oncology “Angel” H. Roffo” belonging University of Buenos Airesthoughtful: “Tattoo pigments may be carcinogenic. But it must be taken into account that the result of the new study is not yet final. “This clearly raises hypotheses for further investigation.”

But Dr. Chinat pointed out another meaning of the tattoo: “Getting a tattoo can mask the onset of a skin cancer it needs to be diagnosed early, especially melanoma.”

Ariel Ostaddermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, told the site. Skin Cancer Foundation USA

that “you should never get a tattoo too close to (or on) a mole.” Changes that occur in a mole (in its symmetry, border, color, size, shape or texture) are potentially key warning signs that the lesion may develop into melanoma or another type of skin cancer.” It is also not recommended to tattoo a melanoma scar.

The tattooing process traumatizes the skin. This means that skin infections or other health problems may arise later. Some risks of tattoos according to experts from Mayo Clinic USA the following:

• Allergic reactions: An itchy rash may occur at the tattoo site. Red ink is more likely to cause allergic reactions than other colors of tattoo ink.
• Skin infections: This can happen due to contaminated ink or equipment that has not been properly sterilized. If the tattoo is done at a center that does not follow the correct safety precautions, it may also increase the risk of developing a skin infection.

• Other skin problems. Sometimes an area of ​​inflammation may form around the tattoo ink. This is known as a “granuloma”. Tattoos can also lead to the formation of “keloids,” raised areas caused by excessive scar tissue growth.
• Diseases transmitted through blood. If the equipment used for tattooing is contaminated with blood, you may become infected with diseases such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. To reduce your risk, you may want to get a hepatitis B vaccine before getting a tattoo.