There’s a Link Between Tattoos and Cancer. Should You Worry?

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00:00There's a link between tattoos and cancer. Should you worry?

00:04Tattoo ink contains various chemical compounds.

00:08Many inks include pigments made from heavy metals.

00:12These can include lead, chromium, nickel, and titanium.

00:16These substances help colors remain vibrant and last longer in the skin.

00:21However, several of these metals are known carcinogens, or cancer-causing.

00:26The long-term presence of these metals in the skin is a primary concern for researchers studying the link between tattoos and cancer risk.

00:35When you get a tattoo, your body triggers an immune response.

00:39It sees the ink as foreign and activates the immune system to attack it.

00:44Some ink stays in the skin's dermal layer, but much of it is cleared by immune cells over time.

00:50Recent studies suggest a possible link between tattoos and lymphoma.

00:55A cancer of the lymphatic system.

00:58A Swedish study of nearly 12,000 people found a 21% higher risk of lymphoma in those with tattoos compared to those without.

01:08Tattoos may increase the risk of skin cancer as tattoo ink exposed to UV light can break down and release carcinogens.

01:17For those frequently in the sun, using sunscreen or protective clothing is recommended to protect tattooed skin.

01:24Definitive answers may be decades away, so caution is advised.

01:29Protect tattoos from sun exposure, and if you have allergies or sensitive skin, proceed carefully.

01:36Getting a tattoo is a personal choice, but it should be based on current scientific information.

01:41Before I leave the whole body over the hair down, let me know.

01:42In the world, let me go.

01:43Let me go.

01:44Start up with the camera.

01:45I'll see you in the next corner.