Study Finds Tattoo Ink Moves Through the Body, Killing Immune Cells (latimes.com)
- Reference: 0180271447
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/12/03/0447236/study-finds-tattoo-ink-moves-through-the-body-killing-immune-cells
- Source link: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-12-01/tattoo-ink-moves-through-body-killing-immune-cells-weakening-vaccine-response
> Tattoo ink doesn't just sit inertly in the skin. New research shows it moves rapidly into the lymphatic system, where it can [2]persist for months, kill immune cells, and even disrupt how the body responds to vaccines . Scientists in Switzerland used a mouse model to trace what happens after tattooing. Pigments drained into nearby lymph nodes within minutes and continued to accumulate for two months, triggering immune-cell death and sustained inflammation. The ink also weakened the antibody response to Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE's COVID vaccine when the shot was administered in tattooed skin. In contrast, the same inflammation appeared to boost responses to an inactivated flu vaccine.
"This work represents the most extensive study to date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing practice," the researchers said. "Our work underscores the need for further research to inform public health policies and regulatory frameworks regarding the safety of tattoo inks."
The findings have been [3]published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
[1] https://slashdot.org/~Bruce66423
[2] https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-12-01/tattoo-ink-moves-through-body-killing-immune-cells-weakening-vaccine-response
[3] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2510392122
Leviticus 19:28 nor print any marks upon you (Score:1, Troll)
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:28
Re: (Score:2, Troll)
The LORD also recommended that you not sow a field with two different crops or wear a garment made of two different cloths. He's a FUNNY God.
Re: Leviticus 19:28 nor print any marks upon you (Score:2)
He is.
But, in His defense, sowing two different crops in the same field usually doesn't end well, and clothing made from two different materials can cause complications (think: wool and cotton? And then the cotton shrinks in the dryer...possibly something like that).
The current (possibly original fannon) thinking behind bacon & friends being prohibited is that the pig was the sacred animal of Baal, and like bell-bottom jeans in the 70s, you couldn't get just plain pork / straight jeans (eating food sacr
But does the ink cross the blood-brain barrier? (Score:2)
I mean, that would explain a lot about Pete Hegseth...
Re: (Score:3)
I don't think that is it. I think he's just naturally stupid.
You're thinking about this wrong. (Score:2)
This could be the beginning of the discovery of an amazing time-release drug delivery system!
Re: (Score:2)
Imagine the conspiracy theories.
Re: (Score:1)
It was already an X-Files [1]episode [wikipedia.org].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Again_(The_X-Files)
A mouse model? (Score:4, Funny)
So Swiss scientists were giving mice tramp stamps?
Re:A mouse model? (Score:5, Funny)
Not tramp stamps, rat tats.
Wow! (Score:3)
So injecting an artificial dye into the human body can have deliterious effects! Who'd have thunk it?
Luckily - other than with criminals - covering yourself in naff tats seems to have been a millennial fad that is slowly fading. I guess they still wanted to look tough (failed) while sipping their skinny latte frappucino with whipped cream.
Gen-Z seem to be a bit body smarter.
Re: (Score:2)
"a millennial fad that is slowly fading"
upvote for the pun but i'm seeing more people getting inked than ever.
the daughter of a colleague is making nearly 6 figures after only 2 years experience.
i don't understand the urge to cover oneself in tattoos but different strokes
Re: (Score:2)
Tats sort of look okay up until age 30. Between 30-40, you look like you are fighting old age and losing. Between 40-50, you look like you are trying to fit into your kids' social group. Between 50-60, you look like your crazy uncle having a mid-life crisis. Between 60-70, you look like you think you are still 18 going on 80. Between 70-80, you look like a badly worn carpet, Between 80-90, you are absolutely hideous and they make you look like a decayed corpse. From 90 on, you will be a decayed corpse befor
Re: (Score:2)
That's what it looks to boomers. Who knows what it looks like to zoomers?
Between 60 and 99 - I only want to see green faded-ass anchors aways and mermaids with titties out.
Between 50 and 60 - Chinese Symbols are ok, Anchors or titty mermaids are "Oh god, Dad!"
Between 40 and 50 - Full sleeves or blackouts are cool, Chinese Symbols are trying too hard
Between 30 and 40 - Full sleeves and blackouts are eww, gross. Full body snakes are TDF
Between 20 and 30 - I'm guessing the only acceptable tats are skibidi toii
Re: (Score:2)
> Luckily - other than with criminals - covering yourself in naff tats seems to have been a millennial fad that is slowly fading.
My observation is the opposite. In my 20s tattoos were just common enough to be accepted as normal, but the majority of people didn't have them and most people who did had one or two fairly small ones.
Today, it seems everyone and their dog has them.
Re: (Score:1)
I always found it a bit funny in images from protests against COVID-vaccines seeing how many of those people were heavily inked (and perforated, BTW), knowing that big part of the inks are non-certified and made by obscure entities.
Re: (Score:2)
> So injecting an artificial dye into the human body can have deliterious effects! Who'd have thunk it?
Said literally about every discovery of the hundreds of chemicals we put into our body that cause problems, all while giving a free pass to the thousands of others we presume inert because we're ignorant as to otherwise.
> Luckily - other than with criminals - covering yourself in naff tats seems to have been a millennial fad that is slowly fading.
Tell us you haven't left your parents basement in 20 years without telling us. You really should get out more, that stale air is turning you into a judgmental arsehole. Millennials have the most, but Gen-Z are only slightly behind in the stats, and they have another 10 years to make these de
Re: (Score:2)
Oh dear, has ickle snowflake been triggered? Go admire the cheesy goth tats on your spotty face in the mirror and calm down.
Re: (Score:2)
In another article, I saw a suggestion that scientists were trying the opposite: injecting vaccines with a tattoo gun. The whole point of that is that the immune system is very active just below the skin, while deep in the muscle tissue you are too far behind the defenses.
Re: (Score:2)
> So injecting an artificial dye into the human body can have deliterious effects! Who'd have thunk it?
> Luckily - other than with criminals - covering yourself in naff tats seems to have been a millennial fad that is slowly fading. I guess they still wanted to look tough (failed) while sipping their skinny latte frappucino with whipped cream.
> Gen-Z seem to be a bit body smarter.
Thats quite a weak justification to assume they’re smarter. Tattoos have gotten a HELL of a lot more expensive in the last decade, and I’d say that has a bit more influence on it. I’m not even in that age demographic and make decent money. I can’t justify the cost, and I’m not going to shame the artist by asking for discounts.
Compromised immune response is small price to pay. (Score:2)
For being a Bad Mother Fucker.
study confirms expectations (Score:4, Insightful)
It's good that there is scientific proof, but seriously, "stuff you put into your body doesn't just sit there" is the expected outcome, isn't it?
Are there different kinds of inks? (Score:3)
Did they test with multiple kinds of dyes? Do Maori (and other polynesians) that might have every part of their body painted use different kinds of inks than in the west?
Human validation with history? (Score:2)
Tattoos have been around for a very long time. A lot longer than clickbait has.
Can we confirm that tattoos have had a measurable negative impact on human immunity that shows itself in longevity statistics, while also proving it was in fact the tattoo that was the cause?
Yes, I’m well aware that lifestyle choices of those sporting ink is a factor here. As well as ink technology. Now let’s account for those factors and prove the study. On the surface this should be rather easy to validate. Heal
Re: (Score:2, Flamebait)
When I take one off I feel like a wild man.
Re: everything is dangerous (Score:1)
Why do scientists irrationally love torturing poor mice so much?