Tattoos linked to increased lymphoma risk, Swedish study reveals
A tattoo artist posted a video on social media showing how deeply ink penetrates our skin. Experts warn about the potential consequences of getting a tattoo, and the studies conducted are thought-provoking.
The tattoo artist demonstrated in a Facebook post what the process of creating a tattoo looks like. Thanks to the video, we can see how deeply the ink used by professionals penetrates the skin. In the video, the tattoo artist pierces a piece of meat with a needle. "The needle deposits 1.5 mm to 2 mm of ink into the skin," stated the author.
It's long been known that getting such a tattoo on the skin involves some risk. Studies conducted in Sweden shed new light on the tattooing process. Complications after the procedure can be very serious.
Does a tattoo increase the risk of developing a serious disease? Research conducted
Lund University in Sweden decided to examine the long-term effects of tattoos on our health. A researcher associated with the university, Christel Nielsen, who led the study, emphasised that the team analysed a large group (11,905 people) to learn more about the connection between tattoos and lymphoma. Unfortunately, the results are not optimistic.
- These individuals were then matched with a control group of the same sex and age, but without lymphoma. The study participants answered a questionnaire about lifestyle factors to determine whether they were tattooed or not - explained Christel Nielsen, as quoted by the portal ladbible.com.
Among the 11,905 people aged 20-60 who participated in the study, lymphoma was detected in 2,938. In the group surveyed with the disease, 21 per cent had a tattoo. In the control group, where lymphoma was not detected, 18 per cent had tattoos.
Results of the Swedish study. Here's how the expert comments
The Swedish scientist's research team found that the size of a tattoo might influence the increased risk of developing lymphoma, regardless of where on the body it is placed.
- After taking into account other relevant factors, such as smoking and age, we found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21% higher among those who were tattooed. It is important to remember that lymphoma is a rare disease and that our results apply at the group level. The results now need to be verified and investigated further in other studies and such research is ongoing - explained Christel Nielsen.
The expert added that it should be kept in mind that lymphoma is a rare disease, and the results of the study pertain to the examined group – therefore, further research and exploration of the topic are necessary.
- We already know that when the tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body interprets this as something foreign that should not be there and the immune system is activated. A large part of the ink is transported away from the skin, to the lymph nodes where it is deposited - noted Nielsen.
