Tattooing may trigger localised damage to the immune system

A recent study in mice suggests that tattoo ink can accumulate in lymph nodes, leading to chronic inflammation and altered immune responses. This discovery raises concerns about the potential long-term health risks associated with tattoos.

Researchers at the University of Lugano in Switzerland, led by Santiago González, conducted experiments on mice that were tattooed with standard commercial inks. They found that the ink traveled to the nearby lymph nodes, where it was captured by immune cells called macrophages, causing persistent inflammation.

Furthermore, when the tattooed mice were vaccinated, their immune response was compromised, with weaker antibody responses to certain vaccines. This suggests that tattoo ink in the lymph nodes may interfere with the body’s ability to mount an effective immune response.

Human lymph nodes from tattooed individuals also showed signs of inflammation and pigmentation, indicating that the effects of tattoo ink on the immune system can persist for years after getting a tattoo.

González emphasizes the need for further research into the health effects of tattoos, especially in terms of their impact on the immune system and disease susceptibility.

While tattoos have become increasingly popular globally, with a significant portion of the population having at least one tattoo, the long-term consequences of tattooing remain poorly understood. González’s study highlights the potential risks associated with tattoo ink and its effects on the immune system.

Christel Nielsen from Lund University in Sweden, who recently published a study on the increased risk of melanoma in tattooed individuals, commends González’s research for providing valuable insights into the link between tattoos and immune function.

Michael Giulbudagian from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment cautions that the findings from the mouse study may not directly translate to humans due to differences in skin biology. However, he acknowledges the importance of understanding how tattoo pigments interact with the immune system for human health.