It seems that today most people who get tattoos are more concerned with the quality of the tattoo and the effect of aging that alters the tattoo, than with any potential long-term health risks. The health hazards associated with injecting hundreds of needles into the dermis or inner layer of the skin are widely publicized and most tattoo artists take these issues very seriously. We’ve all heard about AIDS and Hepatitis C, but are you aware of the current debate about the potential skin cancer risks associated with tattoo inks?
Recent years have seen an increase in stories associated with the potential for getting skin cancer from tattoo inks. The limited studies conducted to date have not confirmed a direct link between cancer and tattoo inks.
Phthalates and other chemical ingredients used in tattoo inks have raised questions about long-term risks to our health, such as skin cancer. Some forms of phthalates have been reported to be believed to have the potential to disrupt testosterone or mimic estrogen. Phthalate exposure has been identified as leading to possible sperm defects and altered thyroid hormones. Phthalates in tattoo inks are believed to be cleared from the body within hours, unlike many other forms of phthalate exposure. One study reported that phthalates applied to the skin in lotion were absorbed and metabolized, and the same is likely to be the case for phthalates in tattoo inks. It would be advisable for pregnant and lactating women to avoid any exposure to phthalates.
Injecting tattoo inks, which contain exogenous pigments, into the dermis creates a unique situation, due to the large amount of metallic salts and organic dyes that remain in the skin for a lifetime. The potential carcinogenic risks of tattoo inks remain debatable. Several studies have identified the presence of potential carcinogens or procarcinogens in tattoo inks. A chemical commonly used in black tattoo ink called benzo(a)pyrene is known to be a potent carcinogen that causes skin cancer in animal tests. . As the tattoo injects inks such as benzo(a)pyrene directly into the dermis damaging the skin. It could be concluded that it can contribute to skin cancer.
Scientists and health professionals continue to debate the possible link between tattoo inks and cancer. In the last forty years, only 50 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma of the skin or basal cell carcinoma with a possible connection to tattoos have been documented, compared to the millions of tattoos obtained. Epidemiological studies on the effects of tattoo ink could be carried out, although they would not be easy. A large number of tattooed people would need to be monitored over a long period of time to see if they developed problems such as skin cancer near their tattoos. The low number of reported skin cancers arising from tattoos could be considered coincidental.
More in-depth studies will be needed to provide more conclusive evidence on the effects of tattoo ink and associated cancer risks. The FDA is increasingly concerned about the ingredients in tattoo ink. In the early 2000s, the FDA received a large number of complaints related to the giving and receiving of tattoos. Since then, the FDA has initiated further investigations into the chemical components of tattoo inks. The FDA is investigating how the body breaks down tattoo ink as it fades over time. Is the ink being absorbed by the body or is it fading from sun exposure? A common pigment in yellow tattoo inks, Pigment Yellow 74, is believed to be at risk of being broken down by the body.
When skin cells containing tattoo inks are killed by sunlight or lasers, the tattoo inks break down and may spread throughout the body. It is believed that tattoo inks could spread to the lymph nodes, whether or not this has unknown health issues is still unknown. Our lymph nodes filter disease-causing organisms. Any interference in that process could have devastating effects on our health.
It is recommended not to place a tattoo too close to a mole. Changes that occur in a mole, such as asymmetry, border, color, size, shape, and texture, are warning signs of possible melanoma or other skin cancer. Make sure all moles are fully visible to avoid potential delays in detecting any changes. When a melanoma is discovered early, it is usually curable, while more advanced melanomas are much more difficult to cure. A tattoo covering a mole could delay detection and be extremely dangerous, even life threatening. If you get a tattoo, be sure to place it a good distance from any moles. This is especially important for people who have multiple moles or dysplastic nevus syndrome (atypical mole), because of the increased risk of developing melanoma, possibly within one of their moles.
It is essential to be extremely diligent in the correct care of our skin after a tattoo and to keep an eye on any changes that may occur in the skin. Our skin is the largest organ in the body and has many important functions. It protects us against injury and illness, regulates our temperature, and maintains our body’s hydration. There are three layers to our skin, the first layer is the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. The second layer is the dermis or the inner layer and the third layer is the subcutaneous fat layer.
Cancer is a disease of the cells of the body. Normally, cells in the body grow and divide in an orderly manner. Some cells can grow and divide abnormally and become a lump, a tumor. Tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in a malignant tumor have the ability to spread to other areas of the body if left untreated. These cells can destroy surrounding tissue and break away from the original cancer, affecting other organs in the body. These cells can then form another tumor called a secondary cancer.
Skin cancer begins in the basal layer of the epidermis. There are three main types of skin cancer basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanomas start in pigment cells, while basal and squamous cell carcinomas develop from epidermal cells. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common but least dangerous type of skin cancer. They grow slowly, but if left untreated, a deep ulcer can develop. Fortunately, they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinomas are most often found on the face, neck, and upper trunk. They appear as a bump or scaly area and are pale, pearly, or red in color. Squamous cell carcinomas are less common but more dangerous. They usually grow over a period of weeks to months. These cancers can spread to other parts of the body if they are not treated right away. Squamous cell carcinomas appear on areas of the skin most frequently exposed to the sun. They have red, scaly areas that can bleed easily and ulcerate, looking like a sore that won’t heal. The main cause of these skin cancers is exposure to the sun for years. Melanoma is the rare but most dangerous skin cancer. It is often a fast-growing cancer that, if left untreated, can quickly spread to other parts of the body to form secondary cancers. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body. The first sign of a melanoma is usually a change in a freckle or mole, or the appearance of a new spot. Changes in size, shape, or color are typically seen over a period of several weeks to months. Melanoma typically appears beginning in adolescence, and is most commonly seen between the ages of 30 and 50.
Any sign of a crusty sore that will not heal, a small red, pale, or pearly bump, or a new blemish, freckle, or mole that changes color, thickness, or shape over a period of several weeks or months. Any spots that range from dark brown to black, red, or bluish-black should be seen by a doctor right away. A very high percentage of basal and squamous cell carcinomas that are detected and treated early are cured.
If you have any concerns regarding the health of your skin or tattoo, seek professional medical attention immediately, prevention is better than cure.