Statistics say that at least a third of Americans have a least one tattoo. And which gender holds the majority when it comes to inking the skin? Surprisingly 31% of women have at least one tattoo while 27% of men have at least one tattoo.
Here are a few more statistics:
In 2020, the tattoo industry generated $50 billion in revenue worldwide.
People between the ages of 18 to 29 years are most likely to have tattoos.
21% of tattooed women have five or more tattoos.
The most popular tattoo between men and women is a rose.
Inking one’s skin is becoming quite the norm and a significant part of our culture. Between Hollywood, rock stars and social media influencers, it is hard to find someone who doesn’t have a least one tattoo.
Just take a look at some of these celebrities who have more than their share of ink:
Just a quick side note that Kat Von D (bottom row, middle) who was a tattoo enthusiast and had a show called Miami Ink, has now become a born-again Christian and is in the process of removing her tattoos as most of the tattoos she has do not align with her newfound Christian beliefs. However, instead of removing the tattoos she is covering them with black ink, so, Kat, if you ever read this, please remove them from your skin and don’t subject yourself to more black ink toxin, girlfriend. Congrats, on becoming a part of Jesus’ team!
Moving on, let’s not forget the handful of television shows that glorify the art of tattooing:
- Miami Ink
- Inkmaster
- Inked
- Tattoo Titans
- Tattoo Wars
Personally, I don’t find tattoos attractive at all especially on women as it appears to downgrade their femininity. Seeing a woman walk down the aisle in a beautiful white wedding dress with a tattooed eagle on her back makes me cringe a little. If anything, I think tattoos are more for the macho type, the biker type or the gang type. I don’t know why people would do this to their bodies, but that is just my opinion.
However, now reports are surfacing showing a link between tattoo ink and organ failure.
Is anyone really surprised?
But let’s do a breakdown on what is involved in the tattoo process.
A tattoo artist will outline whatever design you choose on the skin. Then he/she uses a handheld machine (similar to a sewing machine) that pricks your skin many times, about 3,000 pricks per minute, and with each prick, ink is injected into the dermis, the layer underneath the epidermis.
A typical tattoo session can last from 4-6 hours and a medium size tattoo can cost between $150-$400.
Tattoo ink is a mixture of pigment, molecular dyes and binders in a water solution. At least that is what is on the label, but according to a recent study, out of 54 ink samples, 45 of those samples contained ingredients that were NOT listed on the label.
Here are some of those hidden ingredients:
- Polyethylene Glycol – derived from petroleum, it is used as a thickening agent in the ink but has been linked to organ damage, especially necrosis in the kidneys
- 2-Phenoxyethanol – used as a preservative in the ink, it linked to nervous system issues
- Propylene Glycol – used as an antibiotic in the ink, it is linked to skin conditions such as eczema
Medermislaserclinic.com posted this ingredient list of various colors used for tattoo ink and their ingredients:
So many toxic chemicals….
Titanium Dioxide is linked to chromosomal damage.
Yellow 65 is linked to respiratory issues.
Acrylic Resin releases formaldehyde which is known to cause cancer.
And from my previous blog about artificial dyes used in foods (click here to read) we know that artificial pigments used in ANYTHING are very dangerous to your health.
Anything that is on the skin whether it is in the form of an oil, lotion, or powder will enter your bloodstream and travel through your body. And now we can add tattoo ink to that list.
Scientists today have found that tattoo ink travels through your body in micro and nanoparticle form. It can reach your lymph nodes which are responsible for containing white blood cells to fight infection. If the lymph nodes are being compromised, your body will not be able to fight infection.
Dr. John Swierk, a chemist at Binghampton University who was involved in the above study said, “We’re hoping the manufacturers take this as an opportunity to reevaluate their processes, and that artists and clients take this as an opportunity to push for better labeling and manufacturing. This is the first study to explicitly look at inks sold in the United States and is probably the most comprehensive because it looks at the pigments.”
In 2017, CNN posted an article about a woman who went to the doctor due to having small lumps under her arms. After having a body scan done, doctors found enlarged lymph nodes in her chest area, especially around her lungs.
The doctors assumed it was lymphoma, a cancer in the lymph nodes; however, it was not cancer, just swollen lymph nodes due to some inflammation or infection. They removed the lymph nodes and found clusters of immune cells containing black pigment.
Doctors concluded her body was having a negative reaction to the tattoo ink of her 15 year old tattoo on her back. They were baffled as to why it took her body so long to have a negative reaction, but it shows there is a direct impact of tattoo ink and lymph nodes.
Dermatologists also suggest not getting tattoos due to the fact it makes it harder to detect skin cancer and you run the risk of getting an infection if the needles used by the tattoo artist are not clean. Furthermore, you may have an allergic reaction to the injection causing itching, rash and bumps on the skin.
Thankfully with all the buzz and hype regarding tattoo ink, the FDA has now issued “Tattoo Ink Draft Guidance” which outlines “insanitary conditions of tattoo ink preparation, packaging, or holding that may render the inks injurious to health because of microbial contamination.” Because the FDA is zeroing in on tattoo ink, hopes are more guidelines will be implemented and a possible ban of the ink’s harmful chemicals. Stay tuned.
So if you are thinking of a tattoo, keep in mind the risk you may run into and consider leaving your skin, your body’s biggest organ, alone.
Also remember this Bible verse in 1 Corinthians:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
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