
An impaired immune system leaves your body vulnerable to a host of health risks. It is our body’s natural defense mechanism against any foreign threat. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports. "What we didn't know is that they do it in a nano form, which implies that they may not have the same behaviour as the particles at a micro level," said Bernhard Hesse, from ESRF. It is the response of the body to clean the site of entrance of the tattoo," researchers said.

The lymph nodes become tinted with the colour of the tattoo. "We already knew that pigments from tattoos would travel to the lymph nodes because of visual evidence. These particles could lead to chronic enlargement of the lymph node and lifelong exposure. The team found a broad range of particles of upto several micrometres in size in human skin, amongst these only smaller (nano) particles were able to penetrate into the lymph nodes.
White india ink for tattoos skin#
Researchers at European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Germany used X-ray fluorescence measurements on ID21 which allowed them to locate titanium dioxide at the micro and nano range in the skin and the lymphatic environment. Often, delayed healing, along with skin inflammation and itching, are associated with white tattoos, which are most commonly the consequence of using TiO2. The compound TiO2 is also commonly used in food additives, sunscreens and paints.

Most of these inks are said to contain organic pigments, but are also known to have preservatives and contaminants like nickel, chromium, manganese or cobalt.īesides carbon black, the second most common ingredient used in tattoo inks is titanium dioxide (TiO2), a white pigment usually applied to create certain shades when mixed with colourant, researchers said.

Not much is known about the potential impurities in the mixture of ink used in the colour mixture of tattoos. These lymph nodes form an essential part of our immune system, and getting a permanent tattoo may have severe consequences. The toxic components supposedly present in the ink of tattoos can travel inside the body in the form of nano particles and cause chronic enlargement of the lymph nodes. Fond of getting new fancy tattoos? Beware as your penchant to get inked may take a drastic toll on your immunity, says a new study.
