Scientists at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) have unveiled groundbreaking findings on tattoo inks, revealing that only 20% of the ink actually penetrates the skin during tattooing. This discovery comes amid concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with tattoos, including a previously suggested, yet unsubstantiated, link between tattoos and an increased risk of lymphoma.
The study, conducted in Berlin, involved 24 participants who were tattooed with various inks mixed with "tracer" substances. The objective was to observe how the liquid components of tattoo ink circulate within the body. Notably, metabolites were detected in the bloodstream shortly after the tattooing process commenced, highlighting the body's immediate response to tattoo ink.
Tattoo inks are classified as cosmetics by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the pigments used being color additives subject to FDA approval. Despite this, the FDA has not traditionally regulated the use of tattoo inks. This study sheds light on the metabolic pathways of these inks, particularly noting that one of the tracers was metabolized into other compounds more frequently than anticipated, a process attributed to specific enzymes present in skin cells.
The research was published in the journal Archives of Toxicology, offering new perspectives on the behavior of tattoo inks in the human body. Over a period of 3½ hours, researchers collected urine and blood samples from participants before, during, and after tattooing sessions to track the inks' journey. The use of three distinct "tracer" substances enabled scientists to monitor how the ink was processed internally.
Dr. Ines Schreiver from the Dermatotoxicology Study Center at BfR remarked on the importance of these findings:
"The results of our study will make it possible to assess and evaluate the health risks of tattooing more accurately in the future."
The study's implications are significant given that nearly a third of American adults have at least one tattoo, with 22% having more than one. As tattoos become increasingly popular, understanding their health impacts remains crucial.
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