Health risk These risks involve tattooing

Every second German considers tattooing agent safe

Tattoos have been trendy since the 1990s. According to experts, about every eighth in Germany has already had a tattoo. At the possible health hazards through tattoos think the least. This was also evident in a recent survey.

Tattoos are trendy

Although tattoos used to be socially outlawed in the past, today they are widely accepted and found in all walks of life. According to experts, about 15 percent of Germans have a tattoo. Many are impressed with pictures or inscriptions because they find tattoos beautiful, but they do not think about possible health risks. This is also shown by a recent survey by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

About every eighth in Germany has already had a tattoo. A recent survey has shown that tattoos are considered harmless to health by many people. (Image: belyjmishka / fotolia.com)

Many tattoo products are still unexplored

As the BfR reports in a press release, the survey showed that tattoos are considered harmless to health by many people.

Of the already tattooed people think that even almost 90 percent. Few people know that many tattooing products are still unexplored.

"However, there is scientific evidence that color pigments can migrate from the tattoos into the lymphatic system," explained BfR President Professor Dr. med. Dr. Andreas Hensel.

The results of the study, which showed that toxins from tattoos in human lymph nodes are detectable, have been published in the scientific journal "Scientific Reports".

"To fully inform consumers, it is particularly important to us to further study the distribution and effect of the particles in the body of the tattooed," said Hensel.

Infections and allergies

In order to determine the attitude and risk perception of the population with regard to tattoos, around 1,000 persons who live in private households in Germany and are at least 14 years old were interviewed by telephone on behalf of the BfR.

Many are aware that tattoos can lead to infections and allergies, and that tattooing can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy.

Nevertheless, almost half of all respondents rated the health risk of tattoos as low overall; among the tattooed people, it is even 87 percent.

About one-third of respondents believe that the ingredients of tattoo inks remain completely at the tattooed spot.

Color pigments can be deposited in lymph nodes

However, in an international research project, the BfR has found that color pigments from tattoos as nanoparticles are permanently deposited in lymph nodes.

Depending on the chemical structure and impurities, such as metals, the pigments can be hazardous to health.

When these pigments are transported by the lymphatic system to other organs, metabolic products may arise, which may in turn have their own health-endangering properties.

Manufacturer is responsible for safety

However, the popularity of tattoos does not detract from this. About twelve percent of respondents have or already had a tattoo. Women are significantly more frequently tattooed than men.

Anyone who already has a tattoo is hardly afraid of others: 54 percent of tattooed people would go back under the needle. Of the non-tattooed, only seven percent intend to get tattooed in the future.

Due to the possibility of laser removal, tattoos no longer have to be kept for life. One in three respondents has few health concerns about laser ranges.

Tattooed people are more skeptical. Among them, 47 percent consider lasers unsafe. In fact, the removal by means of laser technology can entail risks, as it can release harmful substances.

As stated in the BfR communication, tattooing agents do not need to be approved. The manufacturer is responsible for the safety of the funds. However, little is currently known about the effect of color pigments in the body.

For a comprehensive risk assessment, the data is not yet sufficient. However, the use of known harmful substances is prohibited by the German tattooing agent regulation. (Ad)