Texans Beware: New Tattoo Study Reveals Safety Health Issues

I personally do not have nor care to have any tattoos or body art. My aversion stems from childhood experiences. As a young schoolboy, I would often take my teacher’s Sharpies, ink pens, and other permanent markers to draw on myself. This led to severe skin reactions, including itching, irritation, and even bleeding. After multiple visits to the doctor and the ER, I learned that my skin could not tolerate these substances.

Given that Dallas, Texas, is a major cultural and commercial hub in the United States, it’s no surprise that some of the best and most well-known tattoo parlors are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Interestingly, a recent survey revealed that the most popular tattoo in Texas is the shape of the state with the Texas flag.

However, a recent study has raised concerns about the safety of tattoos, revealing a 21% increase in the risk of developing lymphoma among those with tattoos. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), both of which have approved the chemicals used in tattoo inks, are now reconsidering their stance. Some of these inks contain metallic components, and certain colors have long been associated with health issues.

The study, conducted by Lund University and the Swedish National Authority Science Direct, identified that the most common types of cancer linked to tattoos are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Dr. Christel Nielsen, the study's director, emphasized that while lymphoma is rare, the findings are significant at a group level and require further verification and investigation.

After accounting for other factors such as smoking and age, the researchers found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21% higher among those with tattoos.