Scientists often warn against tattoo inks. However, the needles used could also cause allergies. The cause: the migration of metal particles in the body.
Formerly reserved for a certain social class or profession, tattoos are now more and more popular, especially with Millennials. Currently, 12% of Europeans are tattooed. Faced with the emergence of this trend, the European Chemicals Agency warned in 2018 against many carcinogenic components contained in tattoo inks. But it would seem that needles are also a risk factor. Indeed, according to a study published Tuesday, August 27 in the specialized journal Particle and Fiber Toxicologythe metal particles from the needles used in tattoos could migrate into the body, at the risk of causing allergies.
“We report the deposition of nanometer and micrometer sized tattoo needle wear particles in human skin that travel to the lymph nodes,” the researchers explain. Most commonly, tattoo needles contain 6-8% nickel and 15-20% chromium, which can cause hypersensitivity reactions and therefore may “play a role in tattoo allergies”.
Indeed, adverse reactions caused by drawing on the body (or face) are increasingly common, scientists reveal. And if we regularly pin the pigments used to explain them, it is the first time that the needles are also mentioned.
“An additional entry of nickel into the skin and lymph nodes”
“Previously, the almost unavoidable nickel contamination of iron pigments was suspected to be responsible for tattoo allergies caused by nickel,” the researchers note. However, “the evidence from our study clearly indicates that tattoo needle wear results in additional nickel entering the skin and lymph nodes,” they write, calling for measuring the “exact impact (of tattoos) about health”.
“These are long-term effects that can only be assessed by epidemiological studies that monitor the health of thousands of people over decades,” concludes Ines Schreiver, lead author of the study.
Risks associated with “body modification”
This study, which includes scientists from the European synchrotron in Grenoble (France) and several German institutes and universities, was led by researchers from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Because in Germany, two thirds of people suffer from traumatic sequelae, delayed healing and other local lesions following a tattoo. About 6% of these ailments are chronic.
In France, where 10% of the population would have yielded to this “disturbing practice” of drawing on the skin, the national academy of medicinecalled in September 2017 for a better regulation of tattoo products.
Concerns shared with the American Academy of Pediatric Medicine, where nearly one in three teenagers have tattoos according to a 2016 Harris poll. a report also published two years ago, she took stock of the tattooing and piercing practices used and the associated risks. “It is important that young people carefully consider the consequences and risks associated with body modifications,” said American pediatricians, recommending teens to consult a doctor before taking the plunge. Indeed, in addition to the infectious and toxic risks, having the skin marked can have a heavy psychological impact and harmful consequences on a future job search, they warned.
