Posted on 05/18/2025 5:27:26 PM PDT by george76
People who ink may be in for more than just body art..
“I got tattooed during a time in my life when I wasn’t fully informed about what was going into my body or what I was allowing onto my skin. Back then, it was about art, self-expression, and creative identity.”
“Today, I see it differently. Tattoos are not harmless,” Ellie Grey a book author, ..
Like Grey, many people choose to get tattoos as self-expression, acts of remembrance, or transformation. But even when the meaning runs deep, tattoos can have consequences—some only now coming to light.
The Link Between Tattoos and Cancer..
Many tattoo inks contain chemicals that have been classified as carcinogenic—or cancer-causing—by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
A 2024 study by Swedish researchers found that 21 percent of participants with malignant lymphoma had tattoos compared with 17 percent of controls. The risk was highest—an 81 percent increase—among those who got their first tattoo within two years of diagnosis.
“We know that tattoo ink often contains toxic chemicals and that a significant portion of the injected ink is transported away from the skin by the immune system, which perceives it as a foreign substance,” Christel Nielsen, associate professor and lead author of the study, ..
Once ink enters the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the outer layer, the immune system attempts to clear it, sending pigment particles to nearby lymph nodes and, potentially, other organs. This may disrupt immune function and trigger systemic inflammation. Over time, the persistent presence of ink in lymphatic tissue could contribute to abnormal immune activity and increase the risk of cancers such as lymphoma and skin cancer.
Are some tattoos more harmful than others?
Does Size Matter..
Nielsen’s study found no clear link between the size of a tattoo and lymphoma risk.
“We did not observe an increased risk with larger tattoos, which was unexpected,” Nielsen said. “That does not mean such a link doesn’t exist—only that our study design may not have been able to detect it.”
However, Nielsen noted that a January study published in BMC Public Health on the same topic found a different pattern, suggesting that larger tattoos may indeed be associated with a higher cancer risk. The study proposed that larger tattoos might have a stronger effect due to greater overall ink exposure or prolonged exposure from tattoos acquired over time.
Tattoo risks also include infections and allergic reactions that may be difficult to treat, Dr. Bruce Brod, clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told the Epoch Times. Such risks may be amplified by the amount of ink used or how deeply it’s deposited—factors more likely in larger or multiple tattoos.
Does Color Matter..
Another factor to consider is the color of the tattoo. In a matched analysis comparing individuals with similar characteristics, those with black or grey tattoos had a 23 percent higher risk of lymphoma. Those with both black and colored tattoos had a 21 percent higher risk compared to people without tattoos.
In a broader, less-controlled analysis, the risk was even higher for black and grey tattoos, showing a 32 percent increase, and lower for tattoos with both black and colored ink, with an 11 percent increase. Of note, this broader analysis may have been influenced by other factors, such as lifestyle or health differences between groups.
Black ink often contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known to be carcinogenic and can increase the risk of cancer. Colored inks, on the other hand, may contain primary aromatic amines. Both may contain metals like arsenic, lead, and chromium.
Warning Signs..
“Current regulations on tattoo ink ingredients are not sufficient,” Dr. Trisha Khanna, dermatologist and medical advisory board member at Codex Labs, told The Epoch Times. “This is a growing concern among dermatologists.”
Some warning signs people with tattoos should look out for when monitoring their skin health include persistent redness, itching, bumps, new pigmented lesions, color change, ulceration, and bleeding, Khanna said.
Tattoos can also complicate the early detection of skin cancer, Brod said. Since changes in the skin may be obscured by the tattoo pigment, detecting potential issues becomes more challenging.
If people notice a new or changing spot within a tattoo—or anywhere on the skin—it’s crucial to seek evaluation from a dermatologist, he said.
Laser Removal..
After learning about the risks, some people’s first instinct might be to remove their tattoo. However, laser removal could further increase the lymphoma risk. Among tattooed participants who underwent laser treatment, the risk of lymphoma was found to be three times higher.
These findings align with experimental studies showing that laser treatment breaks down azo compounds—chemicals used to color tattoos—into potentially toxic, cancer-causing substances. This breakdown may release more harmful chemicals into the body, further raising the risk.
What to Do if You Have a Tattoo..
If you’re already tattooed and concerned about the risks, the best approach is to focus on your overall health.
“The best thing we can do for our health, tattoos or not, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle—regular exercise and a nutritious diet,” Nielsen said.
Make sure to take an active role in improving your diet to help reduce cancer risk.
“Eating more plant-based foods isn’t just a trend—it’s a proven strategy,” Amy Bragagnini, a clinical oncology dietitian, told The Epoch Times. “A diet rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains has been linked to lower cancer rates.”
For people considering getting a tattoo, it’s important to weigh all the information before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice is personal.
“As researchers, our role is to provide knowledge so people can make informed decisions,” Nielsen said.
“If someone is concerned about potential health effects, then it may be best to refrain from tattooing to avoid future worries.”
Dumb ass statement.
Im not buying the study. There’s more to it and as an example, what are the health backgrounds of the individuals on both sides that were tested that may have been more susceptible,there’s nothing listed.
There’s also a lot of tattoo haters on here which is not surprising based on the stupidity of their posts.
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Love ‘em, but kick their asses out.
I don’t like them on women, especially. I think it’s *possible* that this (coming) thing will be a tattoo
but it won’t really be known until that time
But here’s some info on the word:
SAVED FOR REPOSTING
The word in Revelation 13:16 for “mark” is the Greek word for a mark of ownership.
Such as a tattoo - perhaps similar to how one marks cattle by branding.
Or how Hitler’s Nazis branded Jews with tattoo numbers for identification purposes.
Revelation 13:16 Greek - English Bible
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/13-16.htm
5480 [e]
charagma
χάραγμα
a mark
N-ANS
(it’s in the middle of the translations; to the furthest right - FWIW)
The word for “mark” in Revelation 13:16 is “charagma”
Greek word “charagma”:
https://biblehub.com/greek/5480.htm
Strong’s Concordance
charagma: a stamp, impress
Original Word: χάραγμα, ατος, τό
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: charagma
Phonetic Spelling: (khar’-ag-mah)
Definition: a stamp, impress
Usage: sculpture; engraving, a stamp, sign.
HELPS Word-studies
5480 xáragma – properly, an engraving (etching); (figuratively) a mark providing undeniable identification, like a symbol giving irrefutable connection between parties.
5480 /xáragma (”brand-mark”) was originally any impress on a coin or a seal, used by an engraver on a die (stamp, branding iron). 5480 (xáragma) later became “the identification-marker” (like with an owner’s unique “brand-mark”).
Tattoos, imo, are like getting inclusions or blemishes injected into a diamond & thus degrading the Clarity score and value of the diamond.
For example, you could have a FL body & do a small cute tat and still have a great IF body. Then another one and you are VVS1. Now you get hooked on tats and you go to VVS2 to VS1 to VS2 to SI1 to SI2 to I1, I2, I3, and then best-suited for machinery bits instead or beauty.
An exorsist I heard on radio said that tattoos are sometimes portal for demons to enter a person’s life. The Catholic Church has a special prayer for blessing a tattoo and rendering it no longer useful for Satan.
Sucks if true but meh, not sure I buy it too.
As for haters, you like what you like. Be careful not to lose your witness. We all fall short and Jesus see’s all marks be it internally or externally. Put the stone down...
I have no desire for another tattoo but that is my conviction. Nothing sentimental on me either. Jesus Christ gave me new priorities with this new nature. Amen, amen.
It’s a tattoo.. nothing more, not the mark of the devil as some interpret.
The word “tattoo” does not appear anywhere in the Bible... it’s an interpretive choice, not a direct translation of a Hebrew word for tattoo.
Leviticus 19:28’s reference to “marks” (qa’aqa) is the closest candidate, likely addressing ritualistic or pagan body markings rather than modern tattoos. The verse’s context suggests a prohibition tied to specific ancient practices, not a universal ban.
Bottom line is interpretations are like statistics and polls, find one you like.
I objected to the philosophy underlying your statement. I believe it is important not to fall into the idea that the physical world and how we act in it is inconsequential because what *really* matters is what is in our hearts, minds, souls, or whatever.
As to your current comment, yes, we should judge people by all that they do and not just cherry pick. People get tattoos for many different reasons and come from all walks of life, so just being tattooed is not a sign of anything in particular.
However, it is also important to consider that the professionals mentioning that getting tattooed can be dangerous for one reason or another are not making *moral* judgements; they are just saying that in their professional capacity they are noticing dangers that might arise from getting tattoos.
He was a treasure!
I was talking about tattoos, which I do think are a ‘small and inconsequential’ issue when set against the important things in life.
This thread is full of statements indicating that tattoos are a sign of character.
(It would be interesting to see some people here walk into a military barracks - or even a neighborhood pub - and say that ‘only idiots and illegals’ get tattooed, or similar nonsense we’ve seen here.)
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