Researchers have observed an increased frequency of melanoma and lymphomas in tattooed individuals. The larger the tattoo, the greater the risk.
- A Danish study reveals that the ink of tattoos does not remain under the skin but migrates towards the lymph nodes, which can cause chronic inflammation and increase the risk of skin cancer and lymphomas.
- Analysis of 5,900 twins shows a risk three times higher for people with large tattoos. The more voluminous and old tattooing, the more important the accumulation of ink ink seems important.
- Although the study has not found a direct link between the color of the ink and the risk of cancer, other works show that certain inks contain potentially toxic substances. For example, red ink is more often associated with allergic reactions.
Having tattooed is an often carefully considered decision, but few people wonder about the long -term effects of health ink. What becomes of ink once injected under the skin? Does she stay in place or migrate elsewhere in the body? A new study, published in the journal BMC Public Healthdisentangle the true from the false.
Ink not only stay under the skin
Previous research has shown that ink particles are not limited to tattooed skin. They can travel to the body and accumulate in lymph nodes, a key element of the immune system that helps fight infections and filter harmful substances.
Researchers from the University of Denmark in the South and the University of Helsinki, Finland, have studied the possible consequences of this ink migration. To do this, they analyzed data of more than 5,900 Danish twins – comparing twins makes it possible to isolate the effect of tattoos by minimizing the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Result: scientists have noted an increased frequency of skin cancer and lymphomas in tattooed individuals.
How to explain it? The ink accumulated in the nodes could be perceived as a foreign body by the immune system, resulting in chronic inflammation, according to a press release. In the long term, this reaction could promote the abnormal proliferation of cells and increase the risk of cancer. The researchers point out that the long -term effect of ink particles on the functioning of the lymph nodes remains uncertain and must be studied more precisely.
More harmful tattoos than others?
The study reveals that the risk of lymphoma is three times higher in people with large tattoos (equivalent to the size of a palm or more). The more voluminous and old tattooing, the more important the accumulation of ink ink seems important.
Research suggests that some inks are more problematic than others. Although the study has not found a direct link between the color of the ink and the risk of cancer, other works show that certain inks contain potentially toxic substances. For example, red ink is more often associated with allergic reactions.
Scientists now want to study how ink particles influence the functioning of lymph nodes on a molecular level. They hope to identify whether certain types of lymphomas are more strongly linked to tattoos and understand the mechanisms at work.
