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What are the health implications of tattoos?
Question
What are your thoughts about the health implications of tattoos as so many are so quick to get inked?
Answer
I believe that more research needs to be done on tattoos. However, there is already some research that I have read that shows a link to cancer. Consequently, I cannot recommend them any more than I could recommend breast implants with saline-filled silicone bags. Our skin keeps sloughing off dead cells and replacing them with new cells. I do not like the idea that a dye has been added in a way which permanently remains as this transition takes place instead of leaving with the dead cell. My personal belief is that more research will show more cancer connections. But, if I am wrong, I will freely admit it. I suggest you go to PubMed and type in “tattoos and cancer.” This brought up 172 published papers when I did it two minutes ago. Choose a few titles that look pertinent and read their abstracts. You can always purchase the full articles to read all of what they found in the study.
David Getoff, CCN, CTN, FAAIM, Price-Pottenger Vice President