Getting a tattoo is often a carefully considered decision, but few people think about the long-term health effects of tattoo ink. Recent research suggests that ink particles do not just stay in the skin—they travel deeper into the body and may accumulate in the lymph nodes.
Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the University of Helsinki have now found a potential link between tattoos and an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly skin and lymphoma cancers. Their study, published in BMC Public Health, raises new questions about the safety of tattoo ink.
How Tattoo Ink Travels in the Body
The lymph nodes play a key role in the immune system by filtering harmful substances and fighting infections. When tattoo ink is injected into the skin, some of it is absorbed into the lymphatic system, where it may trigger chronic inflammation.
Over time, researchers suspect that this prolonged immune response could increase the risk of abnormal cell growth, potentially leading to cancer.
Henrik Frederiksen, a hematology expert at Odense University Hospital and co-author of the study, explains that the body may perceive tattoo ink particles as foreign substances. This could put constant pressure on the immune system, but the long-term consequences are still unclear.
Because cancer often develops slowly, the potential effects of tattoo ink exposure may not become apparent until decades after getting a tattoo. This makes it difficult to study direct links between tattoos and cancer risk.
Studying Twins to Understand the Risks
To better understand the connection, researchers analyzed data from the Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort, which includes health information from over 5,900 Danish twins. By comparing twins where only one had cancer, they were able to rule out many genetic and environmental factors that might otherwise influence the results.
The findings revealed a higher rate of both skin cancer and lymphoma among tattooed individuals. According to Jacob von Bornemann Hjelmborg, a professor of biostatistics at SDU, this method provides strong evidence that tattoos may play a role in increasing cancer risk.
Larger Tattoos May Pose Greater Risks
The study found that the risk was highest for individuals with large tattoos—those bigger than the palm of a hand. For lymphoma, the occurrence was nearly three times higher in people with large tattoos compared to those without any tattoos.
This suggests that the more ink a person has, and the longer they have had tattoos, the greater the accumulation of ink in the lymph nodes. Scientists believe further research is needed to understand how this affects the immune system over time.
Are Some Ink Colors More Harmful?
Tattoo inks contain different pigments and chemicals, some of which may pose health risks. Although this study did not find a clear connection between specific ink colors and cancer, previous research has suggested that certain pigments—especially red ink—are more likely to cause allergic reactions.
Scientists plan to investigate whether specific ink components play a role in increasing cancer risk.
Tattoos Are More Popular Than Ever
Another study from the Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort shows that tattoos are becoming increasingly common. Researchers estimate that by age 25, about 40% of women and 30% of men will have at least one tattoo.
An independent Swedish study from 2024 also found a link between tattoos and lymphoma, supporting the Danish findings.
Next Steps in Research
To understand the risks better, researchers plan to study how ink particles affect the immune system at a molecular level. They also want to determine if specific types of lymphoma are more strongly associated with tattoos.
By investigating what happens in the lymph nodes over decades, scientists hope to clarify whether tattoos pose a significant health risk and, if so, what can be done to minimize it. Until then, people considering tattoos may want to think beyond aesthetics and consider the potential long-term effects of tattoo ink on their health.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about a new method to treat cancer effectively, and this low-dose, four-drug combo may block cancer spread.
For more information about cancer prevention, please see recent studies about nutrient in fish that can be a poison for cancer, and results showing this daily vitamin is critical to cancer prevention.
The research findings can be found in BMC Public Health.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
