Tattoos have recently become a mainstream form of art and self-identity all over the world.
Although it is not yet prevalent in Bangladesh, it is slowly gaining traction among the younger generation. But a new study suggests that this seemingly harmless artistic trend might come with some serious health risks- specifically, an increased risk of skin cancer.
New research from Denmark and Finland has shed some light on it. Analysing data from over 2600 identical twins, the study found that individuals with tattoos were 1.6 times more likely to develop skin cancer compared to their non-tattooed twins. Even more alarming, the risk appears to rise with the size of the tattoo. Those with tattoos larger than the size of a palm were three times more likely to develop skin cancer compared to their identical, tattoo-free siblings.
Scientists believe the increased risk may stem from the chemical composition of tattoo ink, which often contains heavy metals, preservatives, and potentially carcinogenic compounds.
Once injected into the skin, the ink particles can migrate to nearby lymph nodes or remain trapped in skin tissues for years. Over time, exposure to UV rays of the sunlight can cause these compounds to break down or react chemically, potentially triggering DNA damage or chronic inflammation in the surrounding cells. Such long-term irritation or genetic disruption may increase the risk of abnormal cell growth, which is a hallmark of cancer. Additionally, the risk could be amplified with more densely pigmented tattoos as well, where more ink and chemicals are deposited under the skin.