Tattooing: How Unhealthy Is It?
If you’ve ever wondered if injecting a bunch of ink into your dermis is bad for you or not, well, you’re not alone. A lot of the comments I’ve been getting recently have been debating this—or, more often than not, claiming that it is. These comments insist that tattoos have severe negative health effects and that those who get them are unhealthy.
As hesitant as I am to spend too much time addressing negative comments, I do think this is something people have genuine questions about. In fact, I’ve been seeing a lot of articles pop up recently with scary-looking headlines about the health consequences of tattooing. As someone who’s actually read the studies, I think I have some useful input that isn’t just clickbaity fear-mongering. Most of all, I really don’t want people who already have tattoos to worry that they’ve irreparably harmed themselves. The science is still emerging, and, from what I have read so far, the answer is nuanced.
Although the art form of tattooing is old, there have been very few scientific studies into its health effects. Considering that tattooing only became mainstream (and legal) in the West in the last few decades—Oklahoma was the last state to legalize it in 2006!—it’s unsurprising that tattoos have largely been untouched by the scientific and medical communities. However, as tattooing becomes more widespread, the medical establishment is taking notice, and more studies are starting to be conducted.
This is great news for tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike. I think there’s this idea out there—and I’ve seen this in my comments—that tattoo artists want to keep people in the dark about the risks of tattoos. But nothing could be further from the truth. Tattoo artists want our clients to be able to make informed decisions about their bodies, and the more information that’s out there, the easier it is to do so. People should understand what they’re getting themselves into. And while tattoo artists aren’t medical professionals, we do try to stay up-to-date.
The main concern about tattoos is that they may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. This fear comes from the fact some tattoo inks have carcinogens in them, which, according to a study conducted in Utah, “can travel from the skin through the lymphatic system and accumulate in lymph nodes and other organs”.1 Accordingly, the study looked at the correlation between tattoos and rates of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). It found that while there was no association between tattooing and HL or NHL, there was a higher risk, for those who’d gotten a tattoo ten years prior, associated with the rare diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study did concede that, based on the small sample size, this could be a coincidence. However, it corroborated a similar study conducted in Sweden between 2000 and 2004. The Utah study concluded that tattoos of more than ten years had a risk factor of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of 1.17, while the Swedish study put this risk factor at 1.30.2 The Swedish study also found an association between tattoos and all types of lymphoma, which the Utah study did not. If anyone is considering getting a tattoo, I would highly recommend reading the studies (I have, and they’re dense!) to try and understand the picture more clearly.
Of course, it’s always really scary when something we love is linked to cancer, and I don’t fault anyone for reading the previous paragraph and feeling afraid. Unless you’re a medical expert, it can be hard to decipher these studies and under exactly how at risk you are. But while any chance of cancer is undesirable, the risk found in both studies is very low. That’s not to say you should dismiss them and go cover your body without considering the facts. But it is to say we should be realistic when interpreting data.
A lot of people in my comments have interpreted data from the Swedish study that says tattoos could increase the likelihood of certain types of lymphoma by 21% to mean that they give someone a 21% chance of getting lymphoma. This is a bad faith interpretation, and it bothers me that people are taking trigger words and using them to incite hate and fear against tattoos. The study actually says that if you have risk factors for these certain types of cancers—say, a 7% chance—tattoos could increase those factors by 21%. 21% of 7% is 1.47, which means it would raise someone’s likelihood to 8.47%. That’s very different. (It’s also worth noting this study ended by saying it was inconclusive and could have to do with lifestyle.)
For some people, this risk is too high, and tattoos wouldn’t be worth any increased chance of lymphoma, no matter how small. I had a client once who wanted a back piece but was nervous about the risk of cancer. I told her everything I knew and recommended she consult her doctor. In the end, she didn’t end up getting the back piece. I don’t know if it had anything to do with the risk of cancer, but either way, I wasn’t offended. Everyone has a different risk tolerance, and that’s okay. I also want to tattoo people who want their tattoos. I certainly don’t want clients who go home filled with regret and worry for the rest of their lives.
For those who are willing to take the chance, I think it’s important to remember that almost any hobby you can think of has some risk involved. A good friend of mine rides motorcycles, which is exponentially more dangerous than tattoos, and while I do worry about her, I know it’s what she loves, and I don’t tell her not to do it. Sports also come with numerous risks of injury, but even more sedentary activities can be bad for your health. Sitting for prolonged periods of time is linked to increased risk of heart disease, cardiovascular problems, and diabetes,3 but no one usually comments on posts by avid readers and gamers that they are killing themselves. (Although if they do, come talk to me and we can commiserate. People can be mean on the internet!)
My point is not that we should be shaming people for hobbies that come with health detriments. It’s more that life is inherently risky, and we can’t always stop doing the things we love because they might cause harm. We have to live fully, do what nourishes our souls, and make appropriate risk assessments based on the information we have.
Even if tattoos do come with risks, being tattooed doesn’t make a person unhealthy. I am sometimes told this by commenters, and it always makes me roll my eyes. These people know nothing about me or my lifestyle. So let me set the record straight: I am a distance runner and have been since I was nine years old; I get a lot of sleep; I am a vegetarian with a good diet; and my tattoos have even, in some ways, made me healthier.
Before I got tattoos, I hardly ever wore sunscreen. We know that wearing sunscreen reduces the likelihood of developing skin cancer, and yet, only about 13.5% of Americans wear it daily.4 I am now one of them. After I started getting tattooed, especially my body suit, I began wearing sunscreen religiously. This started mostly as a vanity thing. UV rays break down the pigment in ink and cause tattoos to age and fade. After the amount of money I’d spent on my tattoos, I was not about to let that happen. So I started sunscreening up every day, and now I never go a day without it. This is one of the best things I can do for my skin long-term, and it came about because of tattooing.
Speaking of which, I have heard people claim that tattoos can cause skin cancer, since they make your skin darker and therefore more absorbent of UV rays. But, as far as I know, there are no studies linking tattoos to skin cancer. Just in case, I recommend wearing lots of sunscreen and being mindful of any wonky-looking moles. I always tell clients getting body suits to consult with a dermatologist first, and if there are any moles they recommend watching, to leave those uncovered. I did this myself before getting my body suit, and there are several moles I left uncovered based on my dermatologist’s advice. And while it’s still possible to monitor moles even if they’re tattooed over, it’s always good to be safe and consult a doctor first. It’s cool to think that getting tattoos can make people more aware of screening for cancer and taking care of the oft-neglected organ that is their skin.
Another amazing example of tattoos making a person healthier happened when I was tattooing in Austin, Texas. I had a client who was immunocompromised, meaning that her body didn’t produce enough white blood cells to fight off infections. After she told me this, I insisted she would need a doctor’s note approving her to be tattooed. She clapped back right away that not only did she have a doctor’s note, but her doctor had encouraged her to get a tattoo. He theorized that because tattoos cause low-grade, consistent inflammation that makes the immune system work overtime, a tattoo might help kick hers into gear.
A few months after I tattooed this client, I got in touch to ask how things were going. She told me something incredible: her white blood cell count had gone up. Her system was getting the exercise it needed, and her doctor credited the tattoo. I often think of her when I’m told how unhealthy tattoos are. It reminds me that every body is different, and that it’s important to approach this subject with thoughtfulness and transparency.
Because while tattooing is not danger- or risk-free—and, yes, it most likely does have some negative health effects—it’s up to each individual to choose for themselves if that risk is worth it. For me, it is. Tattooing is not just my profession, it’s my community. My passion. It nourishes my soul, and I couldn’t live without it. As for you, well—that’s up to you to decide.
“life is inherently risky, and we can’t always stop doing the things we love because they might cause harm. We have to live fully, do what nourishes our souls, and make appropriate risk assessments based on the information we have. ”
