Several health risks, including allergic responses, infections, and scars, are associated with tattooing. For a variety of reasons, a lot of people nevertheless decide to have tattoos in spite of this.
Aside from the risks listed above, tattooing may raise the chance of skin cancer. Is this true? Read the explanation.
Tattoos and Skin Cancer
Tattoos do not directly cause skin cancer. The scientific evidence associating tattoos and skin cancer is very limited. However, there are other interactions that, according to medical perspectives, have the potential to increase the risk of skin cancer, including:
Chemicals in tattoo ink
Tattoo ink is a mixture of chemicals that can provide color and longevity to tattoo artwork. Some studies reveal that the chemicals in tattoo ink can be hazardous to skin cells. For example, lead, chromium, and cadmium are contained in pigments; alcohol is contained in binding fluids or curing agents; and thickeners are used to keep ink stable.
Sun exposure
Tattooed skin is more susceptible to sun damage. Excessive UV exposure can damage skin cell DNA and raise the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.
Changes in skin color and structure
Skin abnormalities, such as potential skin cancer, may manifest as changes in the color or texture of tattooed skin. Although this is uncommon, it is important to observe the tattooed area and look for any symptoms of unusual changes
Read more: Understand Health Risks Before Making Tattoos
Tips to Minimize Skin Cancer Risk
Although it has not been confirmed, the possibility of tattoos causing skin cancer cannot be ignored. As a result, if you decide on getting a tattoo, you should proceed with caution.
Here are some recommendations for minimizing the risk of skin cancer in tattooing:
- Choose a tattoo shop that is trustworthy, clean, and follows all standards regarding safe ink use.
- Ensure that the tattoo artist is professional and certified.
- Avoid tattooing parts of the skin with a lot of moles or freckles because it will be difficult to see any changes in these places, especially if the tattoo has covered them up.
Read more: Here's How To Remove Effective Tattoos
- Apply sunscreen to the tattooed region to protect the skin from UV damage. Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply it frequently.
- Limit the length of time the tattooed area is exposed to direct sunlight, particularly if the tattoo is new or the skin is sun-sensitive.
After having a tattoo, keep an eye out for any skin changes. If there is evidence of unusual changes, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking foe more information about other diseases? Click here!
- dr. Alvidiani Agustina Damanik
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Tim Newman (2024). Do Tattoos Have Health Risks? Ink May Contain Harmful Bacteria, Study Finds. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/tattoo-ink-contamination-health-risks
Mayo Clinic (2024). Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067
WebMD (2022). When Tattoos Go Bad. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-tattoo-problems
