Khaberni - From small designs on the wrist to tattoos covering the entire arm, body art is no longer a surprising phenomenon, but has become a part of contemporary culture.
Although the personal meaning of a tattoo is often clear to its bearer, its biological effects within the body remain less clear, and are now subject to increasing scientific study, according to "Science Alert".
Once tattoo ink enters the skin, it does not stay confined; its pigments interact with the immune system in ways that scientists have only recently begun to understand; this opens a wide door to questions about their long-term health effects.
Complex Chemical Composition
Tattoo inks consist of complex chemical mixtures including colored pigments, carrier fluids to distribute the ink, preservatives, and impurities in varying amounts.
It is notable that many of the pigments used today were originally developed for industrial purposes, such as car paint, plastics, and printer inks, and not for use inside the human body.
Some of these inks contain traces of heavy metals such as nickel, chromium, cobalt, and sometimes lead, which can be toxic at certain levels and may cause allergic reactions and immune system disorders.
The inks may also include organic compounds, among them azo dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, substances known to be potentially associated with genetic damage and certain types of cancer in laboratory studies.
From the Skin to the Lymphatic System
During the tattooing process, ink is injected deep into the dermis layer below the skin surface. The immune system treats the dye molecules as foreign substances, trying to eliminate them, but their large size prevents complete removal. Instead, they are trapped inside skin cells, giving tattoos their permanent character.
However, research indicates that the ink does not remain confined to the skin; dye molecules can travel through the lymphatic system and accumulate in lymph nodes, which are central hubs for regulating immune responses.
The Tattoo's Effect on Immunity
Recent studies have shown that some common tattoo pigments can affect immune system activity, cause inflammation, and even reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines under certain conditions.
According to the researchers, immune cells in the skin absorb tattoo ink, and when these cells die, they release signals that keep the immune system active, leading to inflammation of nearby lymph nodes for periods that may extend up to two months.
Studies have also observed that the presence of tattoo ink at the vaccination site may alter the nature of the immune response, and has been linked to decreased responses to some vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, although this does not mean that tattoos make vaccines unsafe.
Allergic and inflammatory reactions remain the most thoroughly documented health risks; notably, red ink is particularly associated with chronic itching, swelling, and the formation of granulomas, inflammatory responses that may appear months or even years after getting a tattoo.
