People with tattoos have a higher risk of developing lymphoma. Experts are now calling for further research into the long-term effects of tattoos.
Lund – Tattoos have long been part of mainstream culture and are very popular worldwide. Whether colorful works of art or minimalist designs – tattoos emphasize the individuality and personal aesthetics of many people. At least twelve percent of people in Europe have a tattoo and this proportion is in the 18 to 35 age group, according to the EUeven at around 24 percent.
But in addition to creative expression, possible health risks are increasingly becoming the focus of research. One current Swedish study suggests that tattoos may increase the risk of developing malignant lymphoma.
Dangerous body cult? Tattoo inks and their chemical ingredients
Tattoo inks contain a mixture of various chemical substances, including metals such as chromium, nickel and lead, as well as aromatic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Many of these substances are known to be carcinogenic. When tattooing, the ink is inserted deep into the skin using needles, which triggers an immune reaction. The color not only gets into the skin, but also travels to the lymph nodes, where pigments and other chemical substances can be deposited.
Studies show that these chemicals may cause inflammation in the lymph nodes, which in turn could contribute to the development of cancer. What is particularly critical is that the long-term health consequences of these deposits have hardly been researched yet. However, there is evidence that certain ingredients in tattoo inks could be linked to the occurrence of malignant lymphoma.
Increased risk of cancer due to tattoos: Swedish study provides new insights
A Swedish study has now examined the connection between tattoos and an increased risk of lymphoma for the first time. Data from 11,905 people were analyzed, of which a total of 2938 had lymphoma. The study found that the proportion of tattooed people in the group of lymphoma patients was 21 percent, compared to 18 percent in the healthy control group.
What was particularly striking was that the risk was highest in the first two years after getting a tattoo and increased again after around eleven years. Interestingly, the size of the tattoo – whether it was a small motif or a large tattoo – was irrelevant in influencing the risk of cancer.
The exact cause why tattoos might increase the risk of lymphoma is not yet fully understood. However, it is suspected that the chemicals in tattoo inks can trigger long-term immunological changes through their deposition in the lymphatic system. These changes could increase the risk of cancer because the immune system may become weaker and less effective at fighting cancer-causing substances. In particular, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma appear to be associated with tattoos.
EU regulation: REACH regulation for safer tattoo inks?
“The results now need to be verified and further investigated in other studies. Especially because lymphoma is rare Illness and our results are based on a single retrospective case-control study,” explained Christel Nielsen, lead author of the study and professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Lund University.
The European Union has already responded to the chemical dangers of tattoo inks. With the REACH regulation By 2023, pigments and chemicals considered particularly dangerous, such as Blue 15:3 and Green 7, were banned from tattoo inks. The aim of these measures is to reduce the use of carcinogenic and toxic substances and to ensure the safety of customers. Although these regulations minimize the risk, the question remains about the long-term consequences of pigments that have already been deposited in the body.
Despite these uncertainties, tattooed people should not panic. Anyone who decides to get a tattoo can consciously choose professional studios with certified colors that do not contain any known carcinogenic substances. You also need to be careful when coloring your hair. A study published in September 2024 shows that frequent hair coloring can also increase the risk of cancer. (ls)
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