My generation all grew our hair long and as far as I know it hasn't led to any serious health hazards, though some may have suffered from a lowering of self esteem as middle aged baldness crept up.

Being a boring old fart, I naturally look down on the next generation's body art, the ubiquitous tattoos.

Imo, they're usually unattractive,  as if some 6 year old got his biro out and scribbled on his classmate's arms and legs.

Alas now there is  possible evidence tattoos can affect the immune system.

 

Tattoos can cause lifelong changes to the body’s immunity as well as affect vaccine responses, according to a new study.

An international team of researchers has found that tattoo ink collects in the lymph nodes, affecting the body’s resistance to disease, in findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 

While studies have previously investigated the toxicity of tattoo ink, scientists say this is the first time their effect on immune responses has been explored.

Using tattoos on mice, researchers found that the animals demonstrated chronic inflammation in their lymph nodes that was “acute and long-lasting”, the death of macrophages (a type of white blood cell), and altered immune response to vaccinations.

“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 team said, noting that at least one in five people have a tattoo globally.

 

 

Scientists were first intrigued when they noticed that mice which had been tattooed for other experiments exhibited inflammation and decided to investigate further.

They used standard commercial inks in black, red and green to tattoo the skin on the hind feet of mice. Using specialised imaging equipment, scientists noticed the ink travelled along the lymphatic vessels to nearby lymph nodes, often within minutes, where it accumulated.

Researchers also noted that the ink appeared to affect vaccination response with a reduced response to the Covid-19 vaccine and an enhanced response to the UV-inactivated influenza vaccine, “reflecting differences in the mechanisms of action between these vaccine classes”.

 

New study reveals potential health risk behind tattoos

 

20 minutes ago, bannork said:

Tattoos can cause lifelong changes to the body’s immunity as well as affect vaccine responses, according to a new study.

 

One more reason to become an antivaxxer.

Tatts are for dopes

Love my kids. Hate their ugly tatts.

 

It's pretty rare to see a bargirl without tattoos these day. Usually paid for drunk by some foreigner who thought it would be a lark. Of course, she never saw him again and is left to tell her grandchildren the story.