Study Reveals That Tattoo Ink Is More Than Skin Deep

Skin Deep: If you’re reading this, there’s a decent chance you have a tattoo. Nearly a third of Americans have at least one, and their popularity is only expected to grow — the industry is projected to reach nearly $4 billion by 2030. Yet how tattoo ink actually interacts with our bodies is only now becoming clear.

The Study: In the most extensive study to date on how tattoo ink affects the immune system, Swiss scientists used a mouse model to trace what happens to ink after it’s applied. Their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that within minutes ink moved through the lymphatic system where it continued to accumulate throughout the two-month study. Once there, it triggered immune cell death, sustained inflammation, and even changed how the body responded to flu vaccines.

The Takeaway: This work, along with other research linking tattoos and lymphoma, points to a need for more oversight of tattoo ink ingredients. There’s nothing wrong with tattoos, but if the ink used to make them is traveling all over the body, the ingredients should be tightly controlled. 

Keep In Mind: This study was conducted in mice, not humans, so while it’s reasonable to draw conclusions, more research is needed.