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Researchers highlight deadly risk of tattoos

November 27, 2025  00:41

Tattoos may increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, researchers at Lund University (Sweden) have found. The findings of their respective study were published in the European Journal of Epidemiology.

The researchers analyzed data from 2,880 Swedes aged 20 to 60 diagnosed with melanoma, and compared them with a disease-free control group. Participants completed questionnaires regarding tattoos, skin type, sun exposure, and tanning bed use.

After accounting for all factors contributing to melanoma development, the researchers found a small but statistically significant increase in risk among people with tattoos: 22% of patients with melanoma had tattoos compared to 20% in the control group.

The researchers note that a cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been proven, but a possible mechanism is the immune system response: pigment particles are perceived by the body as foreign substances and can be transported to lymph nodes.

Moreover, some pigments contain azo dyes, which under sunlight or laser exposure can break down into potentially carcinogenic substances.

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