Tattoos have long ceased to be a marker of subculture and have transformed into a mass form of self-expression. Millions of people around the world wear designs on their skin, which are applied by injecting colored pigments into the dermis—the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. But what happens to these particles next? Some of them settle in the lymph nodes, and some even reach other organs. It is precisely this journey of ink in the body that became the subject of a recent Danish study published in the journal BMC Public Health.
lymph nodes
What Happens to the Skin After a Tattoo: New Research Findings
One in four Swedes already adorns their bodies with tattoos, and this habit is even more common among young women. According to a recent survey by the Swedish Public Health Agency, 28% of women and 21% of men admitted to having at least one tattoo. While most people live with them peacefully, nearly five percent (4.7%) experience skin problems that can become a real headache over time. We’ve explored what exactly gets under the skin, where pigment particles go, and whether you should fear what you’re permanently applying to your body.