Tattoos are trendy but they can present infectious and allergic risks. Focus on what is known today about the health consequences of tattoos.
Tattoos are becoming more and more trendy. According to the most recent polls Ifop conducted in France, 14% of French people are tattooedan even higher proportion among women (17%), the youth (27% of those under 35), workers (25%) and in the southwest (20%). Among the privileged areas: discrete body locations (67%), visible (43%) or intimate (4%) areas. Also beautiful be it, the tattoo is soreEspecially it can be risk. Explanations.
What are the reactions of the skin after a tattoo?
“After a tattoo, it is normal to present in the tattooed area irritation, edema, even scabs. These reactions are linked to making multiple punctures in the dermis and introducing a foreign body into it.” informs Dr. Jacques Savary, dermatologist in Paris. He specifies that “the greater the tattoo on the surface, the greater the local reaction.” Of the burning sensations and itching can follow the tattoo session. “These effects are increased when exposed to the sun right after the session“says Dr. Savary.
What are the health dangers of tattoos?
In addition to risk of infection due to unsterilized or poorly sterilized equipment which are less important today, and risk of immediate allergy to the pigments of inks containing metals (cadmium, nickel, chromium, etc.) it exists three problems coming from the inks used for tattoos. “These inks may be contaminated with mycobacteria. Mycobacteriosis has been described after tattooing“inform the dermatologist.”Then, very dense, polychrome tattoos or on a large surface of skin introduce significant amounts of ink in the dermis (there can be up to 40g of pigment introduced when tattoos cover the whole body) nanoparticles of these inks in the lymph nodes so we know that these products circulate in the body in any case in the lymphatic system. The question of long-term toxicity arises for the organism of these inks” alerts Dr. Savary. “Finally, organic derivatives of dyes -not necessarily authorized in the cosmetics industry- are likely to degrade in the body and give delayed allergic reactions” indicates the dermatologist who specifies that red pigments are most at risk.
Are tattoos dangerous for the skin?
Apart from the risks mentioned above, tattoos are not harmful to the skin people with no dermatological problem. “On the other hand, for people with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis for example, the tattoo can trigger plaques” informs Dr. Savary. He also points out that tattoos can hamper the detection of skin cancers. “A significant dark-colored tattoo on the surface may delay a diagnosis of melanoma which is only seen when it is highly evolved“he warns.
Can tattoos promote cancer?
No link has been proven between tattoos and cancer. However, the question arises of the toxicity of aromatic derivatives organic dyes. “We do not know whether or not they have carcinogenic potential” indicates Dr. Savary who specifies that scientific studies are in progress in order to know if lymphomas could be linked to these aromatic derivatives.
What are the effects of ink in the blood?
Tattoo inks are mostly found in the skin. “There is however a passing through the blood and the lymphatic system“explains Dr. Savary. It has been shown that particles of ink are present in lymph nodes. “In predisposed individuals, there is a risk of sarcoidosis-like side reaction. The tattoo does not create the sarcoidosis but is a trigger or revealing factor of the disease“informs the dermatologist.
What are the risks of infection during a tattoo?
THE risk of infection linked to material contaminated by bacteria (infection with Streptococcus, Staphylococcus) is always possible but it is decreased in Europe where tattooing procedures are codified. On the other hand, it is recommended not to get a tattoo in countries that do not have the same health rules. To prevent these infectious risks, antiseptic care must be done well before and after the tattoo. This does not eliminate all risks of infection. “The problem of ink contamination by mycobacteria is more difficult to manage than that of equipment contamination“explains Dr. Savary. Namely: “People who have a atopic dermatitis are more at risk of getting an infection to Staphylococcus after a tattoo”.
What are the disadvantages of a tattoo on the forearm or wrist?
“The problem with such a tattoo is rather a visibility problem“says Dr. Savary. The High Council for Public Health (HSCP) alert on a risk of social or professional discrimination later if the visible tattoo is made during adolescence. It should also be noted a risk of scarring in case of tattoo removalwhich is valid for any area of the body but is most visible on the forearms and wrists.
What are the disadvantages of a tattoo on the spine?
A tattoo on the spine carries no more risk of infection or allergy than on any other area of the body. On the other hand, the realization of this tattoo is more painful and the High Council for Public Health (HSCP) alert on a additional risk when performing certain procedures (epidural, lumbar puncture).
One of the dangers of long-term tattoos is tattoo removal.
What are the dangers of henna tattoos?
“The temporary henna tattoo features a risk of severe allergic reactionsespecially when the henna contains paraphenylenediamine (PPD)” informs Dr. Savary. This substance is highly allergenic, including in children, even if the tattooed surface is small (less than 10% of the body surface). Before the realization of a henna tattoo it is recommended to do a test on a small area of skin.
What are the dangers of long-term tattoos?
Besides the delayed allergic reactions due to the degradation in the body of organic derivatives of dyes and questions about a potential carcinogenic effect of ink nanoparticles in the body, one of the dangers of long-term tattoos is the tattoo removal. “Some colors are impossible to remove, even using different lasers” warns Dr Savary who recalls that 15 to 20% of people with tattoos regret getting a tattoo. “In addition, during tattoo removal you can see allergic reactions appear because the laser breaks up the pigments and the metabolites of pigments can be allergenic.” he informs.
Thanks to Dr. Jacques Savarydermatologist in Paris.
Sources:
– OPINION on the High Council for Public Health (HSCP), Risks of tattooing and tattoo removal products and practices, 15 December 2020
– Academy of Medicine – Complications of tattoos: recent information justifying urgent action, 2020