When you receive a tattoo, an electrically powered machine moves a solid needle up and down between 50 to 3, times per minute. The needle penetrates a millimeter into the skin, allowing ink to reach and become locked in the dermis. While the epidermis sheds thousands of skin cells per hour, the dermis does not. As the collagen, pigment, glands and nerves of the dermis incur damage, the body sends immune system cells to attempt to repair the wound and decrease inflammation. These cells attempt to eat and dispose of the ink particles through the bloodstream, but not all of the particles can be carried away.
Instead, the cells stay in the dermis and continue to display the pigment particles. Researchers believe that even when the cell dies off, a new cell absorbs the pigment particle and continues the cycle. The tattoo inks that become trapped within the dermis remain visible but what happens to the particles that are successfully carried into the bloodstream away from the tattooed area? Normally, the ink does not migrate too far from the injection point and usually stays within the second layer of the skin.
However, scientists are discovering that ingredients in tattoo ink can travel throughout the body in micro and nanoparticle form. The fact that these particles have been found to reach the lymph nodes is especially concerning. A woman suffering from small lumps under her arms sought medical advice. A body scan identified additional afflicted lymph nodes in her chest.
Lymph nodes can swell for a variety of reasons, ranging from infection and inflammation to cancers like lymphomas. However, a lymph node removed from her armpit was discovered to be a cluster of immune cells full of black pigment from her tattoos.
Although the ink had been injected into her back and shoulder, the pigment alarmingly traveled throughout her upper body.
This is not the only time scientists have discovered tattoo pigments spreading to the lymph nodes. Although some scientists believe that these pigment deposits are not a health concern , the increasing popularity of tattoos has led to concern about the short and long-term side effects of tattoos.
Because tattooing needles breach the skin, there is always a possibility of infection or other complications. Other health risks potentially developed from tattoo injections include:. With little conclusive evidence concerning whether or not tattoo ink particles in the lymph nodes would have a significant impact on human health, the lack of definitive information leads to another a very important question.
Are tattoo inks toxic? However, scientists believe that perhaps those same precautions should also be applied to the chemical composition of the ink colors themselves. This is why so many people wonder, are tattoos toxic? The U. Although they will investigate and take action if informed of a tattoo ink safety problem, a previous lack of evidence concerning tattoo ink safety has influenced their decision to not exercise regulatory authority for color additives on the pigments used in tattooing.
A survey of tattooed people in New York concluded that more than ten percent of those questioned reported skin conditions stemming from their injections. Other states have also reported outbreaks, citing the artist and their studio or the ink itself as two main sources for tattoo-related infections. Ideally, the pain and redness should not be there after the first week of getting tattoed and by the 5th or 6th week the healing should be complete.
Allergic reactions: Mild itching and redness are normal in tattoo healing, but if the symptoms progress to pus drainage and foul odour then you must immediately seek medical help. Scarring: A scar begins to develop when the tattoo artist presses the needles in the deeper tissue beneath the skin. As the damage is too high, it cannot heal itself and so the body begins repairing and replacing the damaged tissue with collagen. This collagen makes the tattooed skin look swollen and bumpy and could cause a change in colour as well.
Phototoxic reactions: You could have allergic reactions, like extreme redness and swelling of the tattoo area, from exposure to light. Red, blue and black tattoos predominantly cause sun-related allergic reactions followed by the remaining colours. Doctors recommend people to opt for vegan inks or plant-based inks that contain less risk of causing any sort of harm. Black ink is generally derived from the soot of charred animal bones, but the vegan one is made from a pigment extracted from logwood.
For more information, please read our article on Skin Allergy. Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar.
At myUpchar, researchers and journalists work with doctors to bring you information on all things health. These tattoo inks can be dangerous, as they can accumulate into one spot under your skin. Alcohol also has been shown to enhance the activity of cancer-causing substances.
Not really. If you want to choose a henna tattoo, you should ask about the ingredients. Those that contain para-phenylenediamine PPD as well as other toxic chemicals found in dyes can cause delayed allergic reactions and hypopigmentation, scarring, and dying skin skin necrosis. In addition, use of henna may cause you to be permanently unable to tolerate sulfa drugs, sunscreens that contain PABA, benzocaine, and hair dyes. Read more about henna tattoos.
Since companies are not required to reveal the ingredients in their tattoo inks and you are not protected against receiving a tattoo from unqualified individuals unless you do your homework, as noted in a previous Naturally Savvy article on tattoos , you need to take steps to ensure your safety if you want to have a tattoo.
The safest advice of all regarding tattoo inks? If you have your heart set on getting one, do your homework and choose the safest tattoo inks available and licensed professionals. Are Tattoos Safe? Not Now.
Grab your lab coat. Let's get started Welcome! It seems this is your first time logging in online. Please enter the following information to continue. As an ACS member you automatically get access to this site. All we need is few more details to create your reading experience. Not you? Sign in with a different account. Need Help? Membership Categories. Regular or Affiliate Member.
Graduate Student Member. Undergraduate Student Member. Benefits Enjoy these benefits no matter which membership you pick. Thank you! Consumer Safety What chemicals are in your tattoo? European regulators worry about the inks used to make body decorations, which can be repurposed from the car paint, plastics, and textile dye industries by Sarah Everts August 15, A version of this story appeared in Volume 94, Issue Vaping exposes users to more toxic metals than smoking cigarettes.
Credit: Shutterstock. According to current surveys in Italy, Denmark, and the U. Credit: Joint Research Centre. Tattooed inhabitants in these countries and regions compose less than one-quarter of the population. Source: Joint Research Centre. Some azo pigments found in tattoos, such as Solvent Red 1, can degrade into problematic compounds such as o -anisidine, a potential carcinogen.
ACS's Reactions team explains what goes into tattoo inks and what makes tattoos permanent. Credit: ACS Reactions. Subscribe ». You might also like Consumer Safety. Tattoo inks targeted by EU regulators. Tattoo inks go more than skin deep. Sweden Proposes Nano Reporting Requirements. Share X. To send an e-mail to multiple recipients, separate e-mail addresses with a comma, semicolon, or both. Submit Sending Thomas August 10, PM.
No mention of ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic apparently common as a main ingredient in tattoo pigments. Richard August 10, PM. Lisa August 10, PM. As a former tattooist, and now student of chemistry, what this article discusses is one of the reasons why I went back to school.
The lack of regulation in tattoo ink is shocking.
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