Are Tattoos Safe?
Recent studies have asked whether tattoos have adverse effects on the immune system.
Introduction
In another blog post, we talked about how tattoos work, and the physiological process by which they stay in your skin, forever. But new evidence is causing some to question, are tattoos actually safe? In this post, we’ll dive into the chemical make-up of ink, and whether ink ingredients can pose a risk to you and your immune system.
First, let’s talk about what tattoo ink actually is. There are two components to ink: a carrier, and colorants. We’ll break these down individually.
Carrier
A carrier is the liquid that colorants are transported in. Common carrier liquids are glycerin, water, isopropyl alcohol, and witch hazel. Rarely, some inks have been shown to contain carrier ingredients that are harmful, such as ethylene glycol, which is the primary ingredient in antifreeze. Methanol is another rarely used preservative and solvent that is toxic and can affect the CNS (central nervous system) and the optic nerves. Neither of these are typically found in high-quality, professional-grade inks.
Formaldehyde, on the other hand, is a common contaminant found in even modern tattoo inks. One study found formaldehyde in 73% of tested inks, either directly, as a preservative or stabilizer, or as formaldehyde releasers (eg, bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea), which can release formaldehyde when exposed to the gamma rays used during the sterilization. Of those inks tested, the vast majority did not list formaldehyde as an ingredient. Formaldehyde is a potent skin irritant and sensitizer. Some people can develop delayed hypersensitivity reactions after repeated exposure which can include redness, itching, and chronic inflammation around the tattooed area.
Colorant
Typically, the colorant in an ink is a pigment rather than a dye. A pigment does not need a chemical reaction with the skin like a dye does; it is an intensely colored compound that is held in place by physical entrapment and cellular retention. Historically, pigments came from mineral or geological sources, such as titanium dioxide (still used), but for the past 20 years manufacturers have been moving to primarily organic pigments, which are carbon based. A significant amount of these organic pigments are azo pigments, which in lab/animal studies have been shown to release carcinogenic aromatic amines when exposed to solar and UV radiation. (Another reason to keep those gorgeous works of art covered!) Some pigments still use mineral and heavy metal compounds to create color.
The Case for Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are well known for triggering allergic reactions and immune sensitivity and can be toxic at certain levels. Concentrations in tattoo ink can vary, depending on the brand and color, but most modern tattoo inks contain only trace levels, obtaining primary colors from organic and inorganic pigments rather than dichromate salts and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury.
The body can excrete small amounts of many metals, but some can accumulate depending on dose and exposure. Tattoo ink, on the other hand, is suspended in the dermis, where molecules might migrate to nearby lymph nodes. Studies have shown that the metals in tattoo ink can accumulate there, but the long-term effects of this phenomenon are still unknown.
Other ingredients
Inks can also include several additives, such as surfactants, binding agents, fillers, and preservatives, used to keep the pigment in a uniform solution and to avoid microorganism growth. Some inks are made using animal products like bone char, beeswax, or lanolin. Vegan inks replace animal glycerin with vegetable glycerin.
Conclusions
The thing is, tattoo ink is regulated under the ‘cosmetics’ section of the FDA. That means that ink manufacturers are not required to list their ingredients or conduct safety trials for their inks. There are no inks currently approved by the FDA. So how do you know if the ink going into your body is the safest it can be?
The first thing you should do is ask your artist which brand of ink they use and then do some research. The time you spend here will be well worth it when your art not only comes out bright and beautiful but also doesn’t cause reactions. Be on the lookout for redness, itching, and raised areas. This may happen months or even years past the stage most would consider “healed”.
Ultimately, we don’t know the long-term effects of tattoos on our health, but we also can’t discount the thousands of years this tradition has existed. Keeping yourself informed of the current research and paying close attention to your body and health are the only ways to ensure that you are following the safest path possible, while still enjoying the thrill of customizing your avatar!
