Experts issued warning over certain tattoo colour that could increase risk of deadly disease
Researchers have urged those looking to get inked up to beware of getting a certain colour on their skin.
It's something that doesn't look like it's going out of fashion any time soon, but it turns out there are a number of health-related side effects that people should be aware of before getting permanently tatted.
You've probably seen enthusiasts that have covered their bodies from head to toe in ink, while others opt for tiny tattoos spread out sporadically across discrete areas of the body.
Either way though, a scientific study found that getting the wrong ink could increase the likelihood of long-term problems.
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Published by Sweden's Lund University last year, it found that while the disease is rare, any colour of ink could put you at risk to an extent - but some more than others.
The study stated that tattoos can increase the risk of developing lymphoma by 21 percent, compared to those who aren't inked.
Authors behind the study reiterated that it is a rare disease, with other external factors likely contributing too.
However, boffins found that the body recognises tattoo ink as a foreign body, and will try to take it from your skin to the lymph nodes as the immune system starts to work.
According to the NHS, lymphoma can be described as a type of blood cancer that affects upwards of 14,000 people in the UK every year.
While uncommon, the cancer works by spreading from white blood cells into the organs that help the body to fight off infection.
While more studies are being carried out around all the risks that are brought on by tattoos, others have looked into the effects of certain tattoos and specifically, the colours used.
It was found by Non Toxic Revolution that the pigment in red ink can cause the most skin reactions as it is said to likely contain cadmium, mercury or iron oxide.
Getting a tattoo and the aftercare required is crucial, as veering off course and being lax about it can cause rashes, discomfort and pain.
It's like treating an open wound, more or less.
But those are just short-term effects, as more studies have delved into the long-term consequences of getting inked up.
Duke University School of Medicine released a study that found several cases of tumours developing through tattoos, and also found that 'red tattoo pigment' is the type that most tumours developed with.
In fact, 36.9 percent of tumours that appeared in tattoos were found with those including red pigment.
It might be best to stick to black, if you want to play it super safe.
Some countries, including the UK, have introduced bans on certain types of tattoo ink over concerns that they are carcinogenic.
As part of the ban tattoo ink manufacturers were told they would have time to find alternative formulas.
Joshua Nair