Tattoos May Hold Long-Term Complications

First Posted: May 28, 2015 04:39 PM EDT
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Many Americans have a tattoo or two. However, as their skin begins to age and wrinkle, they might start to regret the faded piece of art lingering on their body.

New findings published in the journal Contact Dermatitis show that not only are some tattoos not the most beautiful to look at over the years, but they have also resulted in long-term medical complications for some, as well.

"We were rather alarmed at the high rate of reported chronic complications tied to getting a tattoo, Dr. Marie Leger, an assistant professor at the university's Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology said, in a statement. "Given the growing popularity of tattoos, physicians, public health officials, and consumers need to be aware of the risks involved."

Researchers conducted survey interviews with over 300 adults in New York Central Park in June 2013. All respondents were between the ages of 18 and 69, while the majority of them had no more than five tattoos. The arm was the most popular location for tattoos, with 67 percent of participants having one or more there.

While about 10 percent of those involved dealt with one short-term complication, including infection, swelling, pain, etc., that likely cleared up in a week or two, long-term complications lasting for months or longer included rashes, severe itching and swelling.

Many of the areas dealing with harsher problems had been injected with the colors red or black. Furthermore, 36 percent of respondents had tattoos with red ink, while 44 percent of reactions were associated with the same color. Black ink was linked to a third of complications, which accounted for 90 percent of tattoos.

"The skin is a highly immune-sensitive organ, and the long-term consequences of repeatedly testing the body's immune system with injected dyes and colored inks are poorly understood," Ledger concluded. "Some of the reactions to be an immune response, yet we do not know who is most likely to have an immune reaction to a tattoo."

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