TATTOOS are more than skin deep, with inks accumulating in large quantities in the lymph nodes within a few hours of needling, according to a new international study.
The researchers from Universita della Svizzera italiana in Switzerland found that after a tattoo is applied, the ink rapidly migrates through the lymphatic system, with macrophages in lymph nodes capturing pigments and triggering a two-stage inflammatory response: an acute phase lasting about two days and a chronic phase that can persist for years.
This prolonged inflammation can weaken the immune system and raise vulnerability to infections and tumours, the team said.
Using animal models, the team also found that tattooed mice exhibited significantly lower antibody levels after vaccination, with similar effects observed in human immune cells previously exposed to inks.
"This work represents the most extensive study to date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing practice," the authors wrote in PNAS.
"Our work underscores the need for further research to inform public health policies and regulatory frameworks regarding the safety of tattoo inks," they concluded.
Meanwhile, research led by UNSW Sydney published today has revealed that tattoo inks used in Australia failed current European Union (EU) safety regulations for tattoo inks.
Using advanced analytical techniques, the researchers detected multiple regulated toxic substances across 15 samples from major, established international brands.
This included eight metals restricted under EU law - antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, selenium and tin - which were found in amounts that exceeded the EU regulatory limits in at least one ink.
"We are not saying people should not get tattoos," lead author Dr Jake Violi said.
"We are saying the chemical content of inks matters - and there is very little routine checking of what is actually sold in Australia."
Researchers called for further studies to confirm the specific chemical forms of the inks and to examine how they behave once injected into the skin.
Read the paper HERE. KB
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