Tattoos have been a beautiful art form that has crafted a special place in our hearts since ancient times. Not just we being inspired by our favorite celebrities, and love to get our favorite memories of special events or people inked in our bodies, but Indigenous people from different tribes across the world like Maori and Polynesian from Oceania, Inuit, Maya and Aztecs from the Americas, Nubian and Berber from Africa have featured tattoo designs of various types and for various purposes. Even careful observation of the ancient texts and carvings depict tattooing practices among people of ancient Egyptian and Roman civilization.
Tattoo or not:
In Radiology, the reason they inquire about tattoos before an MRI is because the ink often contains heavy metals that can pose risks. In a conversation with a forensic pathologist, an individual who conducts autopsies, I learned that traces of tattoo ink can be… pic.twitter.com/UkbZ4ERFWF
— Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) November 24, 2023An ancient tradition of tattooing
While Roman gladiators and knights used tattoos to mark themselves as a symbol of military achievement or ranks, it also determined their affiliation with certain military groups. Ancient Egyptians used tattoos depicting deities, symbols of protection, and hieroglyphs. Tattoos were etched by the Inuit people as markers of their social and economic status, besides highlighting spiritual significance among them. The people of the Maya civilisation In Central America used tattoos for religious and ceremonial purposes.
Their tattoos depicted gods, animals, birds, and celestial bodies, along with unique symbols and patterns. The Aztec warriors and priests of present-day Mexico inked their status, achievements, and spiritual affiliations in their bodies to highlight their position among fellow citizens. The Maori people of New Zealand have a rich tradition of tattooing, which they use to signify lineage, status, and personal identity. Other Polynesian cultures, including Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti, also boast of intricate tattooing practices that have religious, cultural, and aesthetic significance.
Closer to home, a number of indigenous tribes in India, such as the Khasis, Santhals, and Nagas, exhibit a long tradition of tattooing. These designs are symbols of identity, status, and spiritual affiliation among them. Apart from them, tribal Communities in Northeast India like the Apatani, Nyishi, and Idu Mishmi in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland have a heritage of tattooing. These tattoos often depict tribal motifs, deities, or symbols related to their cultural heritage. Often, certain symbols are derived from nature that mark the interdependence of the communities and nature.
Interlink between tattoo and health adversities
However, as the tattoo design as well as method of tattooing vary among cultures, so does its impact. Recently, there has been a rising concern among doctors and, other medical professionals and researchers about the harmful impact of tattoos in our skin. Recent researches corroborate the interlink between tattoos and skin tumours and even, in some cases, cancer.
The chemicals used in tattoo ink are often identified as the cause of major skin issues. It has the potential to trigger allergic reactions or skin irritations. Again, the use of certain harmful chemicals that make one’s tattoo permanently etched in the body is often contaminated with infection-causing bacteria. These infection-causing bacteria included Staphylococcus epidermidis which causes an infection with often fatal consequences.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infection caused by Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. Staph infections can result in bumps, sores, and blisters on the skin and, in severe cases, can even culminate in blood poisoning. Another such bacteria is Cutibacterium acnes, which causes acne that is hard to treat. Moreover, tattooing activity, if performed in unsanitary conditions, aggravates the risk of infection, which can lead to long-term skin problems.
Not just skin infections, certain harmful compounds present in the ink can also cause blood-borne infections. In fact, there have been rising cases of people contracting hepatitis after getting tattoos, which later developed into liver cancer. Apart from hepatitis, HIV poses a serious threat due to unhygienic practices by some tattoo artists. These artists in order to gain more profits, often compromise on the quality of service they provide. They fail to sterilise their equipment properly in a profession where hygiene needs to be the top priority.
Another shocking fact emerges from certain research publications that draw a connection between cancer and tattoos. Often, the ink contains certain carcinogenic element like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that heightens the cases of skin cancer. Moreover, the carcinogenic ink in tattoos is linked to a higher risk of lymphoma, which is basically a type of blood cancer. The harmful components of tattoo ink also contain substances such as alcohol, barium, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, minerals, nickel, plastics, and vegetable dyes. These can cause severe health complications over the long term.
Should we get inked after knowing the harmful consequences that it might lead us to?
Therefore, commemorating important life events is all good but it must be ensured that it does not take place at the cost of your present and future wellbeing. Aesthetically presenting our memories and achievements is indeed a brilliant idea and can give oneself a sense of pride and bliss; however, it must be free from regrets, right? As the interconnection between tattoos and the adverse risk that they can cause is under investigation, we must proceed with caution.
FAQ
1. What are the historical and cultural significance of tattoos?
Tattoos have been used throughout history for various purposes, including cultural identity, status, religious beliefs, and personal expression. They have been practiced in many ancient cultures, including those of the Americas, Oceania, Africa, Egypt, and Rome.
2. What are the potential health risks associated with tattoos?
While tattoos are generally considered safe when done in a hygienic environment, there are potential health risks associated with them. These include allergic reactions, skin infections, blood-borne infections, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
3. How can tattoo ink cause skin problems?
The chemicals in tattoo ink can trigger allergic reactions or skin irritations. Additionally, if tattooing is performed in unsanitary conditions, there is a risk of infection.
4. What are the potential long-term health consequences of tattoos?
Some research suggests that tattoos may be linked to an increased risk of skin cancer and lymphoma due to the presence of carcinogenic substances in tattoo ink.
5. Should people avoid getting tattoos due to the health risks?
While there are potential health risks associated with tattoos, many people still choose to get them for personal or cultural reasons. It’s important to weigh the risks and benefits and make an informed decision.
