It seems today most people obtaining tattoos are more
concerned about the quality of the tattoo and the effect of aging altering the
tattoo, than any potential long term health risks. The health dangers
associated with being injected by hundreds of needles into the dermis or the
inner layer of the skin are widely publicised and most tattoo artists take
these issues very seriously. We have all heard about Aids and Hep C, but are
you aware of the current debate on the possible skin cancer risks associated
with tattoo inks?
Recent years have seen an increase in stories associated
with the potential of getting skin cancer from tattoo inks. Limited studies
taken to date have not confirmed a direct link between cancer and tattoo inks..
Phthalates and other chemical ingredients used in tattoo
inks have raised questions about the long term risks on our health such as skin
cancer.It has been reported that some forms of phthalates are believed to have
the potential to disrupt testosterone or mimic estrogen. Phthalate exposure has
been identified to possible sperm defects and altered thyroid hormones. The
phthalates in tattoo inks are believed to be cleared from the body within hours
unlike many other forms of phthalate exposure. A study reported that Phthalates
applied to the skin in a lotion were absorbed and metabolised and the same
thing is likely to happen with the phthalates in tattoo inks. It would be well
advised for pregnant and nursing women to avoid any exposure to phthalates.
Injecting tattoo inks, containing exogenous pigments, into
the dermis creates a unique situation, due to the large amount of metallic
salts and organic dyes remain in the skin for a lifetime. The potential
carcinogenic risks of tattoo inks remain debatable. Several studies have
identified the presence of potential carcinogenic or procarcinogenic products
in tattoo inks.One chemical commonly used in black tattoo ink called
benzo(a)pyrene is known to be a potent carcinogen that causes skin cancer in
animal tests. As tattooing injects inks such asbenzo(a)pyrene directly into the
dermis damaging the skin. You could conclude it may contribute to skin cancer.
Scientists and health professionals continue to debate the
possible link between tattoo inks and cancer. In the last forty years there
have only been 50 documented cases of squamous cell carcinoma, malignant skin
melanoma or basal cell carcinoma with possible connections to tattoos, compared
to the millions of tattoos obtained. Epidemiological studies on the effects of
tattoo ink could be taken, although they would not be easy. A large number of
tattooed people would have to be monitored over a long period of time to see
whether they developed problems such as skin cancer near their tattoos. The low
number of reported skin cancers arising in tattoos could be considered
coincidental.
Further in depth studies will need to be carried out to give
more conclusive evidence on the effects of tattoo ink and the cancer risks
associated. The FDA is growing more concerned about the ingredients in tattoo
ink. In the early 2000's, the FDA received a large number of complaints
associated with giving and receiving tattoos. Since then the FDA has commenced
more research into the chemical components of tattoo inks. The FDA is
investigating how the body breaks down the tattoo ink as it fades over time. Is
the body absorbing the ink or is it fading from sun exposure? A common pigment
in yellow tattoo inks, Pigment Yellow 74, is believed to be a risk of being
broken down by the body.
When skin cells containing tattoo inks are killed by
sunlight or laser light, the tattoo inks break down and could possibly spread
throughout the body. It is believed that tattoo inks could spread into lymph
nodes whether this has unknown health concerns or not is still unknown. Our
lymph nodes filtering out disease-causing organisms any interference in that
process could have devastating effects on our health.
It is recommended not to have a tattoo placed too close to a
mole. Changes occurring in a mole such as asymmetry, border, color, size,
shape, texture are all warning signs of a possible melanoma or another skin
cancer. Ensure all moles are left completely visible to prevent possible delays
in detecting any changes. When a melanoma is discovered early it is usually
curable where as more advanced melanomas are far harder to cure. A tattoo
covering a mole could delay detection and be extremely dangerous even life
threatening. If you get a tattoo, make sure it is placed a good distance from
any mole. This is especially important for people who have multiple moles or
dysplastic nevus (atypical mole) syndrome, due to the increased risk of
developing melanoma, potentially within one of their moles.
It's imperative to be extremely diligent in caring for our
skin correctly after a tattoo and monitor any changes that may occur to the
skin. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and has many important functions.
It protective us against injury and disease, regulates our temperature and
maintains our bodies hydration. There are three layers to our skin the first
layers is the epidermis the outer layer of the skin. The second layer is the
dermis or the inner layer and the third layer is the subcutaneous fat layer.
Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Normally the body's
cells grow and divide in an orderly fashion. Some cells may grow and divide
abnormally growing into a lump, a tumour. Tumours can be non-cancerous (benign)
or cancerous (malignant). Benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the
body. Cancer cells in a malignant tumour have the ability to spread to over
areas in the body, if left untreated. These cells can destroy surrounding tissue
and break away from the original cancer, affecting other organs in the body.
These cells can then form another tumour referred to as a secondary cancer.
Skin cancer begins in the basal layer of the epidermis.
There are three main types of skin cancer basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell
carcinoma and melanoma. Melanomas start in the pigment cells while basal and
squamous cell carcinomas develop from the epidermal cells. Basal cell
carcinomas are the most common but least dangerous type of skin cancer. They
grow slowly but if left untreated, a deep ulcer can occur. Fortunately they
very rarely spread to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinomas are most
commonly found on the face, neck and upper trunk. They appear as a lump or
scaly area and are pale, pearly or red in colour. Squamous cell carcinomas are
less common but more dangerous. They typically grow over a period of weeks to
months. These cancers may spread to other parts of the body if not treated
immediately. Squamous cell carcinomas appear on areas of skin most often
exposed to the sun. They have scaling, red areas which may bleed easily and
ulcerate, looking like an unhealing sore. The major cause of these skin cancers
is sun exposure for years. Melanoma is the rarest but most dangerous skin cancer.
It is often a fast growing cancer which if left untreated can spread quickly to
other parts of the body to form secondary cancers. Melanomas can appear
anywhere on the body. The first sign of a melanoma is usually a change in a
freckle or mole, or the appearance of a new spot. Changes in size, shape or
colour are normally seen over a period of several weeks to months. Melanoma
typically appears from adolescence onwards, most commonly seen between 30 and
50 years of age.
Any sign of a crusty, non-healing sore, a small lump which
is red, pale or pearly in colour, or a new spot, freckle or mole changing in
colour, thickness or shape over a period of several weeks to months. Any spots
that range from dark brown to black, red or blue-black should be checked by a
doctor immediately. A very high per cent of basal and squamous cell carcinomas
that are found and treated early are cured.
If you have any concerns regarding the health of your skin
or tattoo seek professional medical advice immediately, it's better to be safe
than sorry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7435966
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