Tattoo Ink Linked to High Risk of Skin Cancer

Experts have warned that toxic ink used in tattoos that is absorbed by the body could increase the risk of skin cancer. Researchers led by Desmond Tobin, director of Bradford University's centre for skin sciences, and Colin Grant have found that nanoparticles from the tattoo inks can get into major organs of the body. Tattoo ink manufacturers have acknowledged that around five percent of the tattoo parlors use inks that contain carcinogenic compounds, though they added that they campaigning hard to reduce it to zero.

The study follows up on a separate study conducted by Copenhagen's university hospital’s Jorgen Serup who found that around 13 of 21 commonly used tattoo inks in Europe contained cancer-causing chemicals.

“Millions of Europeans are now being tattooed with chemical substances of unknown origin. Until now, no one has really looked at the risks, and we need to get proper research going in this field. People should be given written information about the inks that are used on them. It may be that, like cigarette smoking, they still choose to take the risk, but they need to be informed”, Serup said.

Source-Medindia