Tattoo Regret (what to Know Before Getting Inked)

Why I Regret My Tattoos (And What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Inked)

Facebook Friend : Ellie Grey wrote: I got tattooed during a time in my life when I wasn’t fully informed about what I was allowing into my body—or under my skin. Back then, tattoos represented art, self-expression, and creative identity. But today, I see them through a different lens.

Tattoos are not harmless.

Here’s what many people don’t realize when that needle first touches the skin…

I (Dr. O) added the peer review links to support the claims..

What’s Really in Tattoo Ink?

💉 Red Ink and Mercury Sulfide (Cinnabar):
Red pigments often contain mercury sulfide, also known as cinnabar, a toxic heavy metal linked to skin inflammation, allergic reactions, and systemic toxicity.
Source: FDA – Tattoos and Your Health
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/tattoos-permanent-makeup-and-other-body-art

💉 Black Ink and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs):
The most commonly used black ink contains carbon black, which can be contaminated with PAHs—classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 2B carcinogens (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
Source: IARC Monographs, Volume 93
https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono93.pdf

💉 Heavy Metals in Tattoo Pigments:
Tattoo inks often contain lead, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum—heavy metals with well-documented neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects.
Source: European Commission Joint Research Centre
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC110143

Where Does the Ink Go?

💉 Ink Doesn’t Stay in the Skin:
Tattoo ink particles don’t remain in the dermis. Research shows they travel via the bloodstream and accumulate in lymph nodes, potentially interfering with immune function.
Source: Biedermann et al., Scientific Reports (2017)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-03893-4

What Happens with UV Light or Laser Removal?

💉 Breakdown into Toxic Compounds:
When exposed to UV rays or lasers, tattoo pigments can degrade into substances like formaldehyde, benzene, and hydrogen cyanide—each associated with cancer and other health risks.
Source: Schreiver et al., Scientific Reports (2015)
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep12915

Health Risks and Emerging Research

🧬 Links to Cancer and Autoimmune Disorders:
Newer studies suggest possible associations between tattoo inks and conditions like skin cancer, lymphoma, and autoimmune diseases. While research is still developing, experts are concerned about the genotoxic, mutagenic, and immunotoxic effects of ink ingredients.
Source: NCBI – Health Risks Associated with Tattooing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8584796/

🧬 Lack of Regulation in Many Countries:
Tattoo inks remain largely unregulated in several parts of the world, meaning users are often unaware of what is being injected into their bodies.
Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/tattoo-inks

Why I Regret My Tattoos

I didn’t know any of this back then. I wish I had.

Today, I live as clean and naturally as I can—from what I eat to what I put on my skin. My tattoos now feel like the one thing I can’t undo. They’re a permanent reminder of a version of myself who didn’t yet understand the consequences.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about awareness. It’s about informed choices and bodily autonomy.

If You’re Considering a Tattoo…

Please, do your research:

Ask for a complete ingredient list.
Choose inks tested for safety or approved by health authorities.
Avoid unregulated color pigments.
Understand the risks of tattoo removal and sun exposure.

If You Already Have Tattoos…

While you may not be able to remove the ink completely, you can support your body’s detox and immune health:

Eat detox-friendly foods like cruciferous vegetables and herbs like cilantro.
Stay hydrated and sweat regularly (via movement or sauna).
Avoid additional heavy metal exposure from cosmetics, water, or food packaging.

And above all—stay informed. We all deserve to know what we’re being sold in the name of “art.”

That’s the vision of Healthy UpRising—where healthcare includes breath, bike paths, food growing, and emotional healing; where education includes the arts, nature, and purpose. Explore reflections, resources, and ideas at:
https://healthyuprising-dro.blogspot.com/

Healthy Uprising - Dr O

Tuesday, April 15, 2025