It Lasts Longer Than Most Marriages--What You Should Know Before You Commit
This time last year, I was in California celebrating my niece's wedding.
The wedding was unconventional by Alabama standards but the most unusual element was the "tattoo station."
At both the wedding ceremony and the restaurant where the reception was held, you could get a tattoo to commemorate the event.
Yes, a real tattoo. Not a temporary one.
I was intrigued.......you could say tempted........
The biggest obstacle for me was that none of the available designs was something I wanted to wear forever.
That close call must’ve left a mark (pun intended) because a recent articleabout tattoos and cancer risk caught my eye.
Tattoos have been around for at least 12,000 years
Infections and allergic reactions are known risks. But when it comes to long-term effects, especially related to cancer, we’re still mostly in the dark.
Thousands of ink colors and brands make research complicated. Many inks contain heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, nickel, and even lead, all known or suspected carcinogens.
Some break down into chemicals also linked to cancer.
Many artists prefer these inks because of their staying power.
“Organic” or plant-based inks are considered safer, but they fade more quickly.
The impermanence of those appeals to me. Maybe I'm commitment-phobic.....
Tattoo inks aren't FDA-approved. There's little regulation, mostly reactive investigation after a reaction has been reported.
Here’s what we know:
Tattoo pigments don’t stay put. Over time, they migrate to lymph nodes, where they can accumulate.
This can lead to chronic inflammation, which plays a role in cancer development.
A few studies have shown elevated lymphoma risk in tattooed individuals, but the research isn’t conclusive.
When it comes to skin cancer, results are mixed. Some studies show a slightly increased risk of basal cell carcinoma with large tattoos(bigger than your palm) or cosmetic tattoos, but others show no clear link.
We don’t know enough to say tattoos cause cancer, but we also can’t say they don’t.
There are lots of confounding factors, such as smoking, alcohol, socioeconomic status, and even the number of tattoos, which could have an impact.
Tattoo removal doesn’t eliminate the risk
Laser removal breaks ink particles into smaller fragments that get funneled--once again--to your lymph nodes.
Dermabrasion, chemical peels, or surgical removal can remove the ink but also produce significantly more scarring, so they're usually reserved for smaller tattoos.
If you or someone you know is thinking about getting a tattoo, here’s the practical takeaway: we just don’t have enough long-term data yet to say tattoos are risk-free.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn't get one.
It just means it’s worth considering the unknowns, especially with large, brightly colored designs or multiple tattoos.
You already have tattoos?
Be aware that sun exposure will accelerate fading. Those degraded pigments don’t just disappear; they release potentially harmful substances into the body.
Use sun-protective clothing or sunscreen to help protect your skin—and the art on it.
Keep an eye out for any changes in or around tattooed areas.
In a decade or two, we’ll know more.
For now, if you're going to wear something forever, it's worth knowing whether the ink is the only thing that lasts.
