Common Tattoo Ink Ingredients
When considering the tattooing process and any associated health risks, it’s important to consider the ingredients in the tattoo ink. Common ingredients found in tattoo inks can vary depending on the brand and color, but some typical components include:
Pigments (derived from minerals, metals, or synthetic compounds). This includes chemicals like manganese which can be harmful to the lungs, liver, and kidneys, with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s Disease (shaking or trembling, stiffness, and slow motor movement to name a few.
Carrier fluids (such as purified water, alcohol, or glycerin). Common carrier fluids include non-hazardous elements, but can also contain harmful chemicals like methanol, which hasn’t been known to cause cancer but is still toxic and damaging to the body.
Solvents (including ethanol, propylene glycol, or denatured alcohol)
Additives (such as preservatives, stabilizers, and thickeners)
Contaminants (e.g., trace amounts of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury). Cadmium, which is known to cause cancers, can appear as a contaminant or as a pigment. Cadmium can target the heart, the gastrointestinal systems, neurological functions, and the reproductive and respiratory systems and cause permanent damage.
Since tattoo inks are not regulated by the FDA, there is no set standard for tattoo inks. Because of this, adverse reactions can occur, including allergic reactions or other more serious injuries.
Long Term Effects of Tattoos
In regards to long-term effects of tattoos, factors such as size, location, ink quality, and individual health play a large role. Consideration of the future of your tattoo may also be worth considering. Since there is some concern about whether or not tattoo inks can damage the organs, you might want to consider the effects of removing tattoos as well. Laser tattoo removal pushes potentially harmful inks into the body’s lymphatic system to be processed out over time, but Tatt2Away’s natural tattoo removal method removes ink up and out of the skin, eliminating risks associated with metals passing through the lymphatic system. If tattoo removal isn’t going to be considered in the future, however, there are still some potential long-term effects that tattoos include that you should be aware of.
Fading: Over time, tattoos may fade due to exposure to sunlight, aging skin, and the body’s natural regeneration processes. Vibrant colors may become more dull, and fine details may blur.
Skin Changes: The skin around tattoos may undergo changes such as stretching, wrinkling, or sagging, particularly if the tattoo is located in an area prone to weight fluctuations or aging effects.
Allergic Reactions: Some people may develop allergic reactions to tattoo ink, resulting in itching, redness, swelling, or other skin irritations. These reactions can occur immediately after getting a tattoo or years later.
Infection: Improper tattooing techniques or inadequate aftercare can increase the risk of infection. Infections may manifest as redness, warmth, pus, or fever and can lead to more severe complications if left untreated.
Granulomas and Keloids: In some cases, the body may react to tattoo ink by forming granulomas (small nodules of inflamed tissue) or keloids (raised, thickened scars) around the tattoo site. These can impact the integrity of the tattoo/ink, and cause damage to the skin.
MRI Complications: Certain tattoo pigments containing metal components may cause discomfort or skin irritation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Additionally, some tattoos may interfere with the accuracy of MRI results.
Potential Health Risks: While research is ongoing, there are concerns about the long-term health effects of tattoo ink ingredients, particularly regarding their potential to migrate within the body and accumulate in organs or lymph nodes. Some studies have suggested associations between tattoos and increased risks of certain health conditions.
Cancer as a long-term effect of tattoos or tattoo inks is still being researched, but we have compiled existing data to correlate any links between the two.
