Tattoo Ink Study Reveals Insight into Metabolism and Health Risks
A recent clinical study conducted by scientists from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has shed light on the path and metabolism of liquid components of tattooing agents in the body for the first time. Published in the journal Archives of Toxicology, the study provides valuable information for assessing the health risks associated with tattoos more accurately in the future.
Dr. Ines Schreiver, the head of the study at the Dermatotoxicology Study Center at the BfR, explains that while the deposition of color pigments from tattoos in the lymph nodes has been known for some time, the quantity and distribution pattern of the liquid components in the body had not been thoroughly investigated until now.
During the study, 24 volunteers received tattoos of their choice under laboratory conditions at the Charité hospital in Berlin. Urine and blood samples were taken before, during, and after tattooing to track the behavior of the liquid components from the tattooing agents in the body.
The results of the study revealed that metabolites from the tattooing agents were detectable in the first blood sample shortly after tattooing began. Interestingly, the metabolism of these substances through skin uptake differed from oral intake via food, indicating that enzymes in the skin cells play a crucial role in processing tattoo ink components.
On average, only about one-fifth of the tattoo ink used during each session ended up in the skin, with the rest being excreted through the healing wounds. This data will enable a more precise assessment of potential health risks associated with tattoo inks containing hazardous chemicals.
The study, titled “Tat_BioV: tattoo ink exposure and biokinetics of selected tracers in a short-term clinical study of 24 subjects,” provides valuable insights into the biokinetics of tattoo ink exposure. The findings will help researchers and health professionals better understand the long-term effects of tattooing on the body.
In conclusion, the study conducted by the BfR highlights the importance of further research into the health implications of tattooing and the need for regulatory measures to ensure the safety of tattoo inks. By gaining a better understanding of how tattoo ink components are metabolized in the body, we can work towards minimizing potential risks associated with getting a tattoo.
