A new study has revealed that tattoos can cause permanent changes to the body’s immune system and negatively affect its response to vaccines.
A common tattoo pigment may raise the risk of a deadly cancer by 21%
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According to The Independent, an international team of researchers found that tattoo ink accumulates in the lymph nodes, which impacts the body’s ability to fight disease.
While previous studies have examined the toxicity of tattoo ink, the researchers say this is the first time its effect on immune responses has been explored.
The study was conducted on a number of mice injected with tattoo ink. Using specialized imaging equipment, the researchers observed that the ink traveled through lymphatic vessels to nearby lymph nodes—often within minutes—where it accumulated.
The mice showed signs of chronic inflammation in their lymph nodes, described as “acute and long-lasting,” along with the death of macrophages (a type of white blood cell) and altered immune responses to vaccinations.
The researchers concluded that “one of the urgent safety concerns regarding tattoos is the potential redistribution of residual ink from the tattoo site to other organs beyond the skin, and the toxic effects that may result from the accumulation of these insoluble pigments at systemic levels.”
They noted that ink remains in the lymph nodes for life, even after tattoo removal.
Recent expanded research has linked tattoos to a type of cancer known as lymphoma. A study published in BMC Public Health found that the risk of lymphoma may be up to three times higher in individuals with large tattoos compared to those without them.
Another study published two weeks ago reported that tattoo ink may also be a risk factor for skin cancer.
Agencies
