Globally, tattooing is one of the fashioning efforts in teenagers, young adults and even in elderly people. Contrary to claims of tattooing artists, tattooing can significantly raise the risk of skin cancer and other blood-borne infections, healthcare professionals have warned. The medical community warns that tattooing inks, particularly blue coloured ink contains skin cancer causing poisonous elements and/or metals including aluminum and cobalt. Conventionally, blue colour ink is a preferential choice of tattoo artists. However, it can cause significant risk of skin cancer. Other tattoo inks like red ink may contain mercurial sulphide and other colors have many heavy metals like cadmium, nickel, chromium and lead that are potential causes of skin cancer.
Professional tattoo artists always use organic inks that are imported from Australia, US and UK. Some artists use cheap inks that are Chinese-made and it can cause allergic reactions and increase risk of infections. Some people may have a mild form of skin inflammation with pain for few days after tattooing.
The skin specialists also warn about the potential risks of tattoo removing that can cause skin darkening or loss of natural skin color.
According to Dr. Tula, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, the tools used in tattooing can pose a significant risk of skin cancers and dreadful infections like viral jaundiceand HIV. However, not everyone will get skin cancer, but the risk is more if the artist uses arsenic or chromium containing inks. The young people are not aware of the risks of skin cancer and skin damage that are associated with certain deep penetration designs, he said.
The experts warned against tattooing near a mole that may cause skin cancer or other types of cancers. Just because, the tattooing can camouflage the changes in mole color, texture and size that can be a sign of skin cancer. The doctors advise people to choose hygienic tattoo centers to avoid infections. They also warn against tattooing in upper shoulders and between the chest ribs.
