topic Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link in Community Chat

Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Colinka — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 02:51:53 GMT

I've been reading in the news lately about the supposed link between certain inks (colors, place of manufacture) and possible cancers. (Not just skin cancer either, but systemic cancers cause by the carcinogens in the inks migrating to the bodily organs.) It's a big concern in Europe, and may also eventually become an issue here. I have never been a fan of tattoos,--just a personal preference based on my age and past experience. I see so many younger girls getting huge tattoos on their arms and legs, and think that they will surely regret them someday. Now I am worried about nieces and nephews who are constantly getting a "new Tatt". Have any of you also heard about this new research?

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Mominohio — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 02:55:36 GMT

Hadn't heard this, but I guess it doesn't surprise me.

I don't see the fascination with tattoos either, and I guess I believe what my dad (who was very ill my whole childhood) used to say. He would say that he was getting stuck with enough needles from testing and treatments before the end of his life, he wasn't going to do it for tattoos.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

WSfan — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 03:28:45 GMT

Haven't heard of this either, but not too surprising. I too, am not a fan of tatoos, especially the ones that are all over the arms, etc. Just don't find them attractive what so ever. That,and piercings. One or 2 in the ear is fine, but nose, tongue, lip, etc. ....just don't get it.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

hckynut — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 04:36:53 GMT

I have not heard about it and I think it is bs.

hckynut(john)

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Imadickens — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 05:22:47 GMT

I never heard anyone else mention it, but the thought has crossed my mind...especially when they are large tats and are ON (no near) the breast! With the chances of getting breast cancer rising why would anyone want to even go there?

my biggest concern (I briefly considered a tiny tat, hidden to others in honor of my parents, who died younger than they should have) is having an allergic reaction and not being able to get the ink out of my body!

if young people want to do it as expression, I suggest going with non permanent types...there are awesome ones out there! The up side is like Diamonique, you can change them as often as you like!😉

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Imadickens — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 05:25:03 GMT

I don't get the fascination with doing anything that permanently changes the way ne looks! Buyer's remorse is a long, and painful thing!

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

dooBdoo — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 05:36:51 GMT

I'm fairly neutral about tattoos, definitely non-judgmental about them. I do wonder why there's so little scrutiny of a colored liquid injected into one's skin. I just scanned a variety of articles, searching for "tattoo ink cancer" and a number of countries are becoming concerned about "allergies caused by the substances in the inks and possible carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxic effects." These aren't results anyone wants to take lightly, in my opinion. This seems to be in regards to newer inks and the fact that the products are not regulated. Seems to be a valid concern, based on what I read.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

truffle — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 06:05:56 GMT

When I've seen tattoos on the inside of the wrist and other sensitive areas, I've always wondered about the ink getting into your bloodstream.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

58Meezer — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 06:27:43 GMT

I have so many allergies I decided not to get a tattoo - I had a dear friend that was a tatt artist, unfortunately he was murdered (happened years ago) sometimes I wish a had a little tatt, but with all the allergies I have - I think it was a wise decision for me.

https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/study-suggests-some-tattoo-inks-could-be-toxic-122727548.html

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 06:41:27 GMT

Haven't heard this lately, but years ago we had a family friend who was an MD. On a few different occasions he said he thought tattoos could create serious problems in the body, including cancer as a possibilty.

I was young and never discussed it further, but I always remembered his concern.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

ID2 — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 18:25:34 GMT

Lol! I'm 62 and got my first set of two tatoos a few months ago. If we were to believe everything they say is cancerous, we'd all be gone already. Live, love, laugh.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

20sally — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 10:31:37 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
Hadn't heard this, but I guess it doesn't surprise me.

I don't see the fascination with tattoos either, and I guess I believe what my dad (who was very ill my whole childhood) used to say. He would say that he was getting stuck with enough needles from testing and treatments before the end of his life, he wasn't going to do it for tattoos.

Very good point.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Puzzle Piece — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 10:33:43 GMT

I wouldn't be surprised by the link. Dyes are a foreign object in the body and will give the immune system a harder job.

Saw a granny the other day with very crepey skin. She had a tatoo on her upper arm and it didn't have definition or identifiable symbols due to her age/crepey skin. It was just a smear around her upper arm. Needless to say, it looked awful and didn't help her aging looks.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

maestra — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:19:38 GMT

A tattooed rosebud applied at age 20 can look like a bowl of potpourri by age 60.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

CaryH — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:48:35 GMT

I am VERY happily tattooed and I can't wait to get a few more that I want. I'm gonna die eventually so I live the way I want and if I want tattoos then I'll get them.

I don't judge people with or without tattoos. Gay or straight. Black or white or anything in between.

Life really is too short in the grand scheme of things. Live responsibily but with flair.

There is just NO WAY anyone can avoid everything that is bad for them.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

SahmIam — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 12:08:53 GMT

I have ink and know many who do, especially as it's now considered "no big deal" by the masses. I've heard about this for decades and understand that two things played a part back in the day:

1) They type of needle and application of ink

2) The type of ink used.

I can absolutely see how that can happen as well as Hepatitis C. However, inks and dyes are used medically and flushed into us internally without a care. My son has a dye injected into his brain every few months. When I asked about cancer risks, NOT ONE DOCTOR said it was an issue. That chemical is in him for hours at a time. No, it's not permanent but having ink placed in a small spot on a foot in the same way a cut would damage the skin..... I'm more worried about the dye sitting in his brain, to be honest.

In the end, we all gonna wind up on a cold slab. I'm not going to worry about the "chance" at this point in my life of ink being linked to cancer.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Say Nay — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 12:14:28 GMT

The phrase "may cause cancer" has always appeared in articles I've read that try to link cancer and tattoos.

If you have a science based article from a reputable publication I would like to read it. TIA.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

colliegirls — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 12:42:47 GMT

I just read that article yesterday. It makes sense to me, anything foreign that gets into the body can affect it.

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

Yardlie — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:35:59 GMT

@colliegirls wrote:
I just read that article yesterday. It makes sense to me, anything foreign that gets into the body can affect it.

@colliegirls ... I know what you are saying, but everything is foreign to the body, so I guess that means we should follow the old adage..."Everything in moderation."

Re: Tattoo Inks and Cancer Link

WSfan — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 15:40:45 GMT

I am pretty sure that the type of dyes used in medical testing, are completely different than the ones used for tattoos. Also, those are flushed from your body fairly quickly. The dye from a skin tattoo is there permanently.