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Tattoos are dangerous to health

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
 
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06 September 2016, 09:00

Experts have warned that tattoos, especially in large numbers, can provoke cancer. Such conclusions came from experts from the European Chemical Agency, who in the course of the work determined that the ink used by the tattoo artists contain a huge amount of toxic substances and are dangerous to people's health. Ink of poor quality can be the cause of various serious diseases - from allergies to cancer.

Studies have shown that red, blue, green, black ink has the greatest toxicity. At the same time, most employees of tattoo parlors claim that they use only modern and safe ink, from which there can be absolutely no harm to health. In turn, experts of the chemical agency in the near future will provide a list of substances that are part of the ink for tattoos and can have a possible health hazard, so that everyone can make their own choices.

Tattoos are very popular among teenagers and older people, and now there is a huge number of tattoo parlors where professional masters will painfully and painfully apply any drawing on the body. But the concern of scientists is not related to the mass desire of people to decorate their own body, and the fact that there are no specific standards for the quality of ink and materials imported from other countries are not subject to mandatory verification. The scientists emphasized that the ink is injected subcutaneously and can interact with blood, so it is extremely important to be sure of the quality of the ink, since it is the most important thing - human health.

It should be noted that in the UK tattoo masters supported the aspiration of scientists, according to Rick Stevens, one of the most famous representatives of tattoo business in this country, quite often specialists get low-quality ink (mainly supplied from China and characterized by low cost).

British health officials also supported the initiative of experts of the chemical agency and noted that the UK is not as tough as the whole of Europe for tattooing.

According to scientists, ink of poor quality is not the only problem in the sphere of tattoo business. In some salons, masters do not use disposable gloves or sterile needles during their work, as a result, the risk of infection among visitors to such tattoo parlors is increased.

In the spring of Alabama University, experts found that tattoos can affect the work of the immune system - every subsequent drawing of the pattern causes a response of the body and trains immunity.

Experiments have shown that the first tattoo weakens the immune system and increases the level of stress hormone ( cortisol ) or as it is also called some scientists - the hormone of death. But the second and subsequent tattoos on the contrary, strengthen immunity.

Despite all warnings of scientists about the dangers of tattooing, governments do not want to prohibit this procedure at the legislative level, primarily because of bureaucratic red tape, in addition, tattoo business is by far the most widespread and rather profitable. 

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