The habit of getting permanent tattoos is rapidly increasing in our country as it is all over the world. This increase is even higher in women. Of course, like every person, those with tattoos can also develop certain cancers in later years. However, other body cancers besides undesirable skin conditions have never been thought to be related to tattoos, and no serious research has been done on this subject.

How is a Tattoo Done?

A tattoo is made by placing some dye droplets into the layer of the skin called the dermis. Dyes that form primary colors such as black, red, and blue, and other colors, are mixed with liquids such as alcohol or water and microinjections are made.

Substances Contained in Tattoo Dyes

Some dyes contain metals and chemicals that have the potential to cause cancer. The main ones are Cadmium, Arsenic, and Cobalt. Very small particles of these and similar foreign bodies migrate deeper over the years, eventually reaching the channels we call the lymphatic system and remaining for life in the very small filter rooms called lymph nodes.

Inspection of Tattoo Dyes

In some developed countries, the use of substances that are definitely known to be harmful is prohibited in dyes. However, it is not possible to know which dyes tattoo businesses use. This is because a significant portion of these businesses cannot be adequately inspected by authorized institutions. For this reason, it is unknown whether reliable substances are used in tattoo businesses in our country. However, it is a fact that even tattoo dyes that are theoretically thought to be safe accumulate in the lymph nodes (or glands). The real problem is what these substances that accumulate in the lymph nodes can lead to in the future.

Cancer Risk in People with Tattoos

Two separate studies in Sweden and Denmark showed that a type of lymph cancer called lymphoma is more common in people with tattoos. This risk was found to be higher, especially in those with large areas of tattooing. On the other hand, so far, no very significant increase in the incidence of skin cancer due to tattooing has been detected. In addition, although the risk of lymphoma increases in people with tattoos, when considered as a whole, the risk of cancer from smoking, staying in the sun for long periods, and some commonly used chemicals is much higher than that of tattooing.

Can Cancer Risk from Tattooing Be Reduced?

In smokers, the risk of cancer is reduced when they quit smoking early. However, the situation is different with tattoos. When a tattoo is tried to be removed with a laser, the dyes used do not disappear but are only broken down into smaller particles. In this way, the lymphatic system carries these dyes to the lymph nodes, making them invisible. This is not a solution, and in fact, the risk could theoretically increase as the accumulation in the lymph nodes increases. When a long-ago tattoo is surgically removed, small particles are no longer carried to the lymph nodes. On the other hand, the risk of lymphoma from the particles that were previously carried to the lymph nodes continues.

Conclusion

The habit of getting a tattoo is increasing. If you want to get a tattoo, the only thing you can do is to investigate whether the tattoo parlor uses safe dyes. This is not a very easy process. Once you get a tattoo, the risk of lymphoma will continue even if you have it removed later or have the tattoo surgically taken out. However, the risk of a tattoo is quite low compared to other cancer-causing factors.