7 Tattoo Health Risks To Consider Before Getting Inked

Forbes

2 days ago

Increasing research shows that getting tattoos carry both short and long-term health risks
Historically, tattoos existed at the fringe of society. But today, tattoos are mainstream — gracing the skin of athletes, celebrities, professionals and everyday people. According to the Pew Research Center, a third of American adults have a tattoo and 22% have more than one. Yet a growing body of research shows that health risks from tattoos are real. Here's are seven tattoo health risks to consider before sitting down to get a tattoo (or another one).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetic pigments used in makeup and skincare products. Yet tattoo inks operate in a regulatory gray zone. They are not subject to the same premarket safety testing.
Many commercially available tattoo inks contain hazardous substances — including heavy metals like lead, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and primary aromatic amines (PAAs) formed from azo dyes. One review found that benzo(a)pyrene, a potent carcinogen found in PAHs, is present in black tattoo ink. Red and yellow inks are especially concerning because they often contain cadmium.
Roughly 10% of people with tattoos experience chronic skin conditions, such as itching, redness, swelling or pain can last long after the original tattoo heals. These reactions are even more common in tattoos more than 10 years old or those with red or colored inks.
Delayed hypersensitivity reactions can also occur – called granulomatous or lichenoid responses, presenting as raised bumps or nodules on or near the tattoo. Red pigments are commonly the culprit. These skin reactions sometimes require biopsies, topical or systemic steroids or at times, surgical removal.
Tattoo-related reactions can also mimic or mask serious skin diseases. For example, tattoo pigment may obscure early skin cancers like melanomas or interfere with lymph node evaluations during cancer staging.
Even in professional studios with sterile technique, infections are a real risk. Bacterial infections are most common, which can often be successfully treated with antibiotics. However, ink contamination during manufacturing has also been implicated in outbreaks of infections.
Most tattoo infections are mild and localized. Yet others can become severe, especially in people with compromised immunity. There have been rare reports of systemic infections, including sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis (i.e. flesh-eating bacteria).
When tattoo pigments are deposited into the dermis of the skin, the ink can migrate to lymph nodes.
Emerging research suggests tattoos may be associated with increased cancer risk — particularly skin cancers and lymphomas. A 2025 Danish twin cohort study found that individuals with large tattoos had a nearly 3-fold risk of these cancers. While this study do not yet prove a direct causal link, the large effect size is concerning.
Nevertheless, case reports have described malignant tumors developing within tattoos, including melanomas. Whether tattoo pigments play a direct role in cancer development or simply create local environments conducive to cancer remains unclear.
Additionally, some tattoo pigments degrade under laser removal or sun exposure. This can potentially generate cancer-causing byproducts like PAAs. This means not only the initial exposure but also later decisions —like removal – can increase cancer risks.
Tattooing may also play a role in triggering or worsening autoimmune diseases. Case reports and clinical studies have linked tattoos to conditions such as sarcoidosis, psoriasis, lupus and pyoderma gangrenosum.
Tattooed areas can become what doctors call 'immunocompromised districts': sites of localized immune dysregulation. This can predispose to viral infections like warts and conditions like molluscum contagiosum – small, firm, dome-like bumps. These can emerge months or even years after tattooing.
This highlights the importance of screening individuals with autoimmune conditions before tattooing.
Removing tattoos is far more difficult than getting them. Laser-based removal requires multiple sessions and may not fully eliminate all the pigment. Removal of larger tattoos can run $5,000 to $10,000.
Removal can also lead to scarring, skin discoloration (either lightening or darkening) and allergic reactions. Laser treatment may even cause allergic or systemic symptoms not present before removal, especially when pigment particles are broken down and enter the bloodstream.
Tattoo regret rate is high — especially among younger people who may not consider the long-term consequences. This may occur when the artwork no longer aligns with identity, religious beliefs or professional goals. Tattoo regret also can increase depression and anxiety.
In certain sectors (e.g. military, law enforcement, or corporate environments), visible tattoos may limit employment opportunities. People may also face stigma or stereotyping, particularly in conservative or culturally traditional settings.
Tattoos can be an art form, a rite of passage or a personal statement. But increasingly, research reveals that some of the risks of tattoos are potentially serious.
Yet this doesn't mean people need to avoid tattoos if they really want one. Millions enjoy their tattoos without complications. For people who have decided to get a tattoo, here are six ways to reduce (some of) the tattoo health risks:
As with any decision, knowledge is power. When it comes to tattoo health risks, the evidence is clear: the risks are more than skin deep.