Can tattoos give you cancer?
The EU's chemicals watchdog has concluded that substances found in
tattooing inks pose a cancer risk and member states will have to
vote on restrictions for 4,000 chemicals currently in use.
Why is the risk being highlighted now?
The review has been sparked in part by the growing popularity of tattoos,
currently 12 per cent of Europeans have one, but this rises to one in four
among people aged 18 to 35. Because the dyes used remain in your body
permanently there is a lifetime for any harmful chemicals that may be used to
have an effect.
So what is the evidence of tattoos causing cancer?
Despite its recommendations and examples of carcinogenic chemicals being used in inks the European Chemicals Agency report notes there is currently no direct evidence of a tattoo ink causing cancer. However, "that doesn't mean they are not occurring" said an expert from the Agency
What should I do if I have tattoos, or I'm thinking about getting one?
The Agency advices to people with tattoos
already is that you should contact your doctor with any concerns. However it
suggests caution if considering removing them to minimize your risk of cancer,
saying: "You should take into account that laser removal is a procedure in
which pigments and other substances are broken down into smaller particles –
these may include harmful chemicals, which are then free to circulate in your
body. "People considering a new tattoo are advised to look at more than
just the skill of their tattooist and ask about infection prevention and their
inks.
