Are Tattoos risky ?

         New research # 19

Are Tattoos risky ? This question arises in the mind of ” wrestling ” viewers. People are crazy  of watching wrestling on  T V . Those days have gone when wrestling was wrestling and not personal grudge. Almost 50 % wrestlers have Tattoos in different colours  on their body, specially on arms and chest. It is their own choice. Researchers have found a risk between Tattoos and blood cancer. In today’s article ” Are Tattoos risky ” ,  we will talk about the new research about it.

Contents:

• What are Tattoos ?
• Are tattoos risky ?
• Effects after 2 years of tattooing.
• Health risk of getting tattoo.
• Care after tattooing.

What are Tattoos ?

• A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, and/or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. (The dermis has connective tissue, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, nerves, hair follicles, and other structures. It is made up of a thin upper layer called the papillary dermis, and a thick lower layer called the reticular dermis), People get tattoos for  religious purposes, for protection or as a source of power, as an indication of group membership, as a status symbol, as an artistic expression, for permanent cosmetics, and as an adjunct to reconstructive surgery. People get tattoos on their body to look stand out in the crowd. They want attention of others . Some people think, having tattoos on their arms, chest or other parts of body , is a psychological sickness. Well, having tattoos is a totally private matter. Every one can have tattoos on his/her body.

Are tattoos risky ?

It is noticed that western citizens like more to  have tattoos on their bodies. Keeping in view this trend, the western countries try to investigate the effects of tattoos on human health. Here is a brief description of their findings:

• Researchers used  the  Lund University, Sweden’s   national registries to identify cases of Lymphoma ( Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system. It specifically affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are an important part of our immune system ). Lymphoma is also called a cancer of the lymphatic system, or lymphatic cancer. Here a question arises, Is lymphoma a serious cancer? That depends on the type of lymphoma. For example, non-Hodgkin lymphoma may make your body more vulnerable to life-threatening infections, other kinds of cancer or heart disease. Data show about 3 in 100,000 people worldwide die of some type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma). and analyze if they could be linked to tattoos .
• Tattoo ink contains known carcinogens ( Carcinogens  are substances that may increase your risk of developing cancer. Experts have identified more than 100 carcinogens. Carcinogens may be physical, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun; chemical, like asbestos; or biological, such as infections caused by certain viruses) and can be shifted around the body and end up in lymph nodes ( A small bean-shaped structure that is part of the body’s immune system. Lymph nodes filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease.).
• Researchers found that there is a  21 % increased risk of lymphoma in people having tattoos , compared to those who do not have tattoos.
• However, there is very little research on the topic , if having a tattoo raises a risk of cancer.
• The researchers came to know that the size of tattoo had little effect on the risk of cancer. The results were published in eClinical Medicine.
• Christel Nielsen PhD, an associate professor at the University of Lund, Sweden explain it in her own words as ;

” There has been quite a lot of focus on the chemical content of tattoo ink during the last 10 years particularly in Europe. Tattoo ink often contains chemicals that are known to cause cancer in other contexts, for example in occupationally exposed workers. We also know that the ink is transported away from the skin by the immune system, as the body tries to remove the ink particles that it perceives as something foreign that should not be there. It has been shown that this process moves the pigment to the lymph nodes, and that it is permanently stored there. ”

She also told that ” we wanted to connect the dots and understand how our health is affected by permanent storage of potentially toxic chemicals within the immune system “.

Effects after 2 years of tattooing.

The researchers  collected data of lymphoma cases from Swedish National Center Register. Then they contacted those people who have tattoos. They found that 21 % of the people with lymphoma have a tattoo, and 18 % of  those without lymphoma have a tattoo. The researchers found that  risk after  2 years of tattooing  was 81% higher for people with tattoos than people without tattoos . This risk dropped between 3 to 1o years post tattooing. It increased to 19 % higher risk after 11 years.

Health risk of getting tattoo.

While in the process of getting tattoo, there are two risk;

• Tattoo inks are typically made of a mixture of solid particles of pigment, molecular dyes and binders suspended in a water solution. The color comes from light either being reflected from or absorbed by the particles and dyes. The ink is transported around the body and end up in the lymph nodes.
• It is quite possible that hepatitis  C could be passed on via tattooing needles., if they are not properly sterilized.

source : medicalnewstoday.com 

Care after tattooing.

So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.

• Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a bandage.
• Remove the bandage after 24 hours (or sooner, if your tattoo artist recommends it). Wash your hands before taking off the bandage.
• Gently wash the tattoo with soap (antibacterial if available) and water, and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
• Apply a layer of moisturizing antibiotic ointment, but don’t put on another bandage.
• Carefully wash your tattoo area three times a day with soap and water, and gently pat it dry.
• Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean your tattoo to keep it moist. After 5 days, you can switch from an antibiotic ointment to a gentle fragrance-free body lotion.

last words:

Having tattoos is a totally  personal matter and likeness. Any how, it is better to talk  with a doctor before getting tattoos about any health risk . It is also advised to talk with a person who has already tattoo if he/she has any health problem related to tattoos.

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