Tattooing has become increasingly popular over the past few decades, with more people getting tattooed and choosing body art as an expression of identity. The procedure of getting inked can pose greater health risks than most people are aware of. A growing body of research demonstrates that tattoo inks are largely unregulated. The ingredient lists printed on these bottles frequently mislead consumers about what the product actually includes. The industry’s lack of oversight should alarm anybody about the safety of the harmful substances used in these inks. This is quite troubling given that some of them include harmful pollutants.
Research indicates that one in five Australian tattoo inks have polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). On this page What we know These chemicals are recognized for their carcinogenic potential when levels of exposure are high. In fact, some inks continue to use heavy metals such as lead and chromium. The issue of tattoo safety has become more and more important, particularly as the practice has gained in popularity.
The Hidden Ingredients in Tattoo Inks
Tattoo inks usually include a pigment, as well as additives and fillers to create the desired consistency. It’s not always clear what precisely is in these inks. A recent National Toxicology Program review of select consumer products found an alarming gap between declared ingredients and what is found in these products.
“The old-fashioned coloured compounds — heavy metal-based pigments — aren’t really used anymore, they’ve been banned,” – Professor Lenehan
Tattoo removal can lead to the production of chemicals like benzene, which is a known carcinogen, on the skin. In addition, it places front-line health risks for the individuals who will earnestly regret on their body art years later.
Despite the fact that the tattoo industry has been booming, regulations on transparency regarding ink ingredients have lagged behind. In the harsh light of public health emergencies, researchers continue to call for stronger regulations to protect consumers from harmful and sometimes poisonous substances found in tattoo inks.
The Health Risks Associated with Tattoos
Epidemiological studies have even found evidence that tattoos protect our health, such as lowering the chance of melanoma in people with more ink. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here and assume too much. In another large-scale study, researchers found an increased risk of lymphoma among those with tattoos. The more tattoos one gets, the more that risk does not appear to increase even more.
A landmark study done in Sweden found a deeply troubling result. Individuals with tattoos are almost 30 percent more likely to develop melanoma. These results highlight the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of tattoo ink on human health.
“You obviously don’t want to release ink and have an allergic response without medical management in place — there is definitely the risk for a range of immune responses,” – Dr Coulstock
The body’s response to tattoo ink is pretty much instantaneous as the needle punctures the skin. Adding a lot of ink at once can leave people more prone to allergic reactions, especially as the ink is injected into the skin. Unfortunately that risk can be increased during tattoo removal when the ink is again released back into the body and exposed to the immune system.
The Need for Further Research
Tattoos are the new black, and every day more people are getting tattooed. Research on the long-term effects of injecting ink into the skin has not kept pace. For many experts, a better sense of tattoo ink composition and their long term impacts on human health is imperative.
“These [ink ingredients] are very insoluble — they’re not designed to go away and that’s why they use them,” – Professor Lenehan
Using these permanent materials is equally troubling. This is significant to highlight given that tattoo inks commonly include ingredients that are found in automotive paints. The complex nature of these substances warrants additional research into their safety profiles.
As awareness grows regarding potential health risks, it is crucial for consumers to remain informed about what goes into their tattoo inks. Providing access to accurate information will help people make informed choices about their body art.
“You don’t really want to be exposed to it at high levels,” – Professor Lenehan
