Study Links Tattoos to Skin Cancer Risk: What You Need to Know Before Getting Inked

If

you have a tattoo and get exposed to the sun, it can make things worse for you. According to a new study, those with a tattoo have a nearly 30 per cent higher risk of developing melanoma - a serious form of skin cancer which is mostly linked to ultraviolet or UV exposure. However, it is also important to note that tattoos do not spike your chances of having squamous cell carcinoma - another type of skin cancer which is related to UV damage. While both of these cancers do share a common cause, they happen due to different cell types, differing in severity, with melanoma being far more dangerous.

What does the study say?

According to Lund University in Sweden, tattoos, which are considered among the most popular and powerful forms of expression, can be risky for people of all ages. However, they remain popular, and while both melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma develop slowly and are relatively uncommon, long-term research is extremely challenging in this regard. Following large groups of tattooed and non-tattooed people for many years would be expensive and time-consuming. And so, scientists from the university applied a different approach, where they approached people who were already battling cancer and identified those who had tattoos. This type of research - known as a case-control study- is an efficient way to detect potential associations. Out of the nearly 6,000 people who participated in the study, more than 1,500 had melanoma, and 6,151 had squamous cell carcinoma. Researchers found that those with tattoos were 29 per cent more likely to develop melanoma compared with those without tattoos. The risk increase seemed to be highest in those who had tattoos for more than ten years, although the numbers were smaller in this group, so the results should be interpreted cautiously. According to the scientists, there was no evidence that the size of the tattoos mattered here, as even though larger tattoos contain more ink and are expected to be potentially harmful, that was not found in the results. One possible explanation given is that tattoo ink does not remain confined to the skin, as your body's immune system treats it as a foreign substance and transports some ink particles to the lymph nodes.

Lifestyle factors contribute to cancer

Researchers stress the fact that it is important to consider a range of lifestyle factors as well, including the data on sun exposure, use of tanning beds, smoking, level of education, marital status, and even household income – all of which can be factored in skin type, pigmentation, age, and sex. According to experts, all of this matters as it majorly influences the fact of who gets tattoos and who develops cancer. For instance, those who spend a lot of time in the sun may be more likely to have tattoos and to develop melanoma. Accounting for these differences reduces bias and strengthens confidence in the results.

Do tattoos cause cancer?

So, do tattoos cause skin cancer? The simple answer is that the scientists do not know yet, but the results of the study do suggest a possible link between tattoos and melanoma – even though they agree that one study is never enough to prove causation. More research is needed to explore potential biological mechanisms, such as chronic inflammation, and to examine how different types of ink or colours might interact with UV exposure. The composition of tattoo pigments varies widely, and many contain compounds that can break down into harmful by-products when exposed to sunlight or laser removal treatments.

Should you panic if you have tattoos?

While scientists say you do not need to panic if you have tattoos, there is a need to be aware. Continue to protect your skin from UV radiation by always applying sunscreen, avoiding excessive tanning, and checking your skin regularly for new or changing moles.