The tattoo consists of perforating the epidermis using fine needles to introduce pigments into the skin, drawing a pattern. If it is an increasingly widespread act, it is not totally harmless.
A new study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, indeed suggests that the number of punctures required to penetrate the tattoo ink into the dermal layer of the skin would have the effect of damaging the sweat glands, preventing the skin from sweating properly. They point out that a decrease in sweating could affect the thermal regulation of our body, especially when a large part of the surface of the body is covered with tattoos, the researchers said.
A risk of anhidrosis
This side effect could therefore have long-term effects on health by causing a form of anhidrosis, a pathology characterized by insufficient sweat production and which can go as far as heat stroke.
This isn’t the first time the dangers of tattoos have been raised. The National Syndicate of Dermatologists-Venereologists regularly points out their various risks. The pigments contained in the inks can for example lead to skin conditions such as eczema or skin allergies. They can also make skin lesions worse in people with skin lesions like psoriasis.
At thealso go:
- Tattooing: the inks move in the body
- Tattoos: 1 in 10 people suffer from skin reactions
- Everything you need to know before getting a tattoo
