Linke Heidi Reichinnek macht Politik mit vielen Tattoos (mit oder ohne Tabus?)

Ein Markenzeichen deutscher Politik im 21igsten Jahrhundert? Sie ist wohl ziemlich schmerzfrei!

Bildchen und eingebildet oder nur eine Ulknudel? Ästhetisch fragwürdig?

Heidi Reichinnek ist Mitglied des (seit 1990 aufgeblähten) Bundestags und Fraktionsvorsitzende Die Linke Partei.

Vorsicht Satire!

Der Preis für den Machterhalt der CDU wird sehr, sehr hoch

Heidi Reichinnek: the tattooed hard-Left ‘Queen of Tiktok’ enjoying late election surge in Germany

Ihr Schulter Tattoo bekommt man seltener zu sehn!

Tattoo ink travels to lymph nodes impacting immune system and alters immune response

Concerning! How bad are tattoos for your health? The moe tattoos on one's body, the higher the risk?

How much does the quality of tattoo inks vary?

This study does not even cover the long-term consequences of large body area tattooing as a tattooed individual ages.

Since my teenage days I remember there were warnings about possible negative health effects of tattooing and tattoo inks.

Since about the 1990s tattoos have become very popular and went mainstream. About 22% of Americans wear multiple tattoos, adults aged 30-49 about 46% (according to Google search).

"According to a new study, tattoo ink doesn’t stay in the skin; it travels and accumulates in the lymph nodes, potentially causing lifelong changes to the immune system. The findings offer no conclusion as to whether these changes are positive or negative, but suggest that pigment retention in lymph nodes can persistently alter local immunity. ...

A complex admixture of the ink that is insoluble in bodily fluids grants durability to tattoos. While previous studies have linked tattoo ink ingredients to various health issues, research on the interaction of ink components with the immune response is scarce.  ..."

From the significance and abstract:

"Significance

In this study, we characterized the immune responses to the tattoo ink accumulating in the lymph nodes (LNs). This is very relevant as tattoo ink commonly reaches and persists in this organ in most tattooed subjects, often lifelong. We have observed that ink is retained within phagocytic cells, which undergo cell death and induce a prominent and long-term inflammatory response, with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in LNs up to 2 mo after tattooing. Furthermore, we observed that tattoo ink at the vaccine injection site modulated immune responses in a vaccine-specific manner, 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.

Abstract

Despite safety concerns regarding the toxicity of tattoo ink, no studies have reported the consequences of tattooing on the immune response.

In this work, we have characterized the transport and accumulation of different tattoo inks in the lymphatic system using a murine model. Upon quick lymphatic drainage, we observed that macrophages mainly capture the ink in the lymph node (LN).

An initial inflammatory reaction at local and systemic levels follows ink capture. Notably, the inflammatory process is maintained over time, as we observed clear signs of inflammation in the draining LN 2 mo following tattooing.

In addition, the capture of ink by macrophages was associated with the induction of apoptosis in both human and murine models.

Furthermore, the ink accumulated in the LN altered the immune response against two different types of vaccines.

On the one hand, we observed a reduced antibody response following vaccination with an messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine, which was associated with a decreased expression of the spike protein in macrophages in the draining LN.
In contrast, we observed an enhanced response when vaccinated with influenza vaccine inactivated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Considering the unstoppable trend of tattooing in the population, our results are crucial in informing the toxicology programs, policymakers, and the general public regarding the potential risk of the tattooing practice associated with an altered immune response."

Tattoo ink travels to lymph nodes impacting immune system

Tattoo ink induces inflammation in the draining lymph node and alters the immune response to vaccination (open access)

Fig. 1 Tattoo ink is transported by the lymphatic system and accumulates in the draining lymph node. 

English for trippers: Taboo tattoo

When I grew up basically only some prostitutes, sailors, and soldiers were wearing tattoos in Germany. Otherwise, only some far away ethnic minorities were known to practice tattoos like the Māoris of New Zealand.

How times have changed! Now some people can not have enough tattoos covering their whole body. Tons of adult actors are wearing and showing them off.

In 2023, I blogged here about Mormons in Utah loosening up on tattoos.

US Navy hits historic recruiting numbers with more and faster tattoo approvals

I hope this fad/fashion of so many contemporaries wearing so many body parts covering tattoos will be over soon!

Often times it does not look pretty nor appealing!

What are the long term negative health effects?

"... He credited efforts to plus-up recruiters and cut back administrative frustrations as a major component for success, specifically citing work to streamline the tattoo approval process for recruits. ...

While last year it took an average of 30 days to get approval for tattoos, today it takes 2.7 ..."

Navy hits historic recruiting numbers with more ads, tattoo approvals

Not a very impressive logo! It does not even say US Navy! President Trump please redesign!

Does a tattoo increase your cancer risk? Medical research/profession is still ignorant?

I believe, this subject has been reported and discussed for at least the past 50 years. Here is some of the latest research based on a twin study. It seems large size tattoos are more dangerous.

Since it has become a big business and so many people now carry tattoos in the 21st century, the medical profession is still unable to give better answers! This is a huge skandal!

According to Google AI enhanced search: "There are roughly 20,000-26,000 tattoo parlors (or body art studios) in the United States, with the market size estimated at around $1.5 billion." & "Approximately 32% of American adults report having at least one tattoo, with 22% having more than one."

My best guess is that tattoos do not seem to be very risky when it comes to cancer. E.g. would we have not already noticed an increase of cancer cases among individuals working in tattoo parlors that can be traced to their work? Tattoos have been around for about 5,000 years.

Maybe more research into this issue seems to be necessary and recommendable.

Disclaimer: I do not intend to claim or insinuate that tattoos cause cancer or increase cancer risk or to diminish or downplay any potential or real risk.

"Assessing the cancer risk of modern tattoo ink has proven a challenge [???] — it can contain many different chemicals and production isn’t standardized worldwide. Recent studies have hinted that tattoos might be linked to lymphoma and skin cancers, with the risk increasing with tattoo size. That could be down to that tattoo stimulating a chronic immune response, says Signe Clemmensen, a public-health researcher and the co-author of one of the studies. But we’ll need much larger studies to get clearer answers."

From the abstract:

"Background

We aim to study the potential association between tattoo ink exposure and development of certain types of cancers in the recently established Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort. Tattoo ink is known to transfer from skin to blood and accumulate in regional lymph nodes. We are concerned that tattoo ink induces inflammation at the deposit site, leading to chronic inflammation and increasing risk of abnormal cell proliferation, especially skin cancer and lymphoma.

Methods

We conducted two designs of twin studies to improve confounder control: A cohort study of 2,367 randomly selected twins and a case-control study of 316 twins born in the period 1960–1996. Cancer diagnoses (ICD-10) were retrieved from the Danish Cancer Registry and tattoo ink exposure from the Danish Twin Tattoo survey from 2021. The analysis addressed effects of time-varying exposure.

Results

In the case-control study, individual-level analysis resulted in a hazard of skin cancer (of any type except basal cell carcinoma) that was 1.62 times higher among tattooed individuals (95% CI: 1.08–2.41). Twin-matched analysis of 14 twin pairs discordant for tattoo ink exposure and skin cancer showed HR = 1.33 (95% CI: 0.46–3.84).

For skin cancer and lymphoma, increased hazards were found for tattoos larger than the palm of a hand: HR = 2.37 (95% CI: 1.11–5.06) and HR = 2.73 (95% CI: 1.33–5.60), respectively. In the cohort study design, individual-level analysis resulted in a hazard ratio of 3.91 (95% CI: 1.42–10.8) for skin cancer and 2.83 (95% CI: 1.30–6.16) for basal cell carcinoma.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study suggests an increased hazard of lymphoma and skin cancers among tattooed individuals, demonstrated through two designs: a twin cohort and a case-cotwin study. We are concerned that tattoo ink interacting with surrounding cells may have severe consequences. Studies that pinpoint the etiological pathway of tattoo ink induced carcinogenesis are recommended to benefit public health."

Nature Briefing: Cancer

Tattoos are being linked to some cancers. Are they really a risk? "Having a tattoo has been linked to a higher risk of conditions like lymphoma and skin cancer, but the situation isn't clear-cut"

Tattoo ink exposure is associated with lymphoma and skin cancers – a Danish study of twins (open access)

America's first known female tattoo artist Maud Wagner

Recommendable! She learnt from and was married to a male tattoo artist.

The female tattoo artists that ink in secret in South Korea

Different strokes for different folks! When will the tattoo fad be over?

Caveat: I did not watch the entire video.

Study Uncovers Hidden Ingredients in 83% of Tattoo Inks, Raising Concerns

This or similar results have been repeatedly reported over several decades! 

In my opinion, the more of the body's skin tattoos are covering, the more annoying it usually looks, while a few small tattoos may look appealing. Perhaps, I am too old fashioned!  😊

If I am not mistaken then tattooing is a largely unregulated business in many Western countries. As long as the number of customers was fairly small this was not too much of a concern.

"... While 32 percent of adults in the United States have at least one, many of the inks in the United States today used to decorate people's skin are more of a motley mixture than a precise blend, a new study has found. ..."

From the abstract:

"As tattoos continue to rise in popularity, the demand for tattoo ink has surged. Historically, tattoo inks have been underregulated in the US market. This study analyzes inks from nine different brands that are common in the United States, ranging from major to small manufacturers. Out of 54 inks, 45 contained unlisted additives and/or pigments. Major, unlisted adulterants include poly(ethylene glycol), propylene glycol, and higher alkanes. Many of the adulterants pose possible allergic or other health risks. Taken together, the results from this study highlight the potential for a significant issue around inaccurate tattoo ink labeling in the United States."

Study Uncovers Hidden Ingredients in 83% of Tattoo Inks, Raising Concerns : ScienceAlert

What’s in My Ink: An Analysis of Commercial Tattoo Ink on the US Market (no public access)

New research points to potentially harmful chemicals in tattoo ink

This has been known for several decades! Given that tattoos have become a fashion of our times with hundreds of millions individuals in Western countries adorned with them, I thought they had cleaned up the act in the meantime. 

Whatever enters your body may have negative health consequences! It's that simple!

"New research presented at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society has raised concerns that many tattoo inks contain chemicals that may be damaging to human health. Analyzing nearly 100 currently used tattoo inks the researchers found many inks contained chemicals not declared on their ingredient list, and at nanoparticle sizes suspected to be harmful. ...

In the United States tattoos fall within the confines of cosmetics, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means the inks being used do not need to be approved by the FDA and no regulations require a manufacturer to even list the ingredients in tattoo ink. ..."

"... “Big companies manufacture pigments for everything, such as paint and textiles. These same pigments are used in tattoo inks.”  ...

“For example, 23 of 56 different inks analyzed to date suggest an azo-containing dye is present.” Although many azo pigments do not cause health concerns when they are chemically intact, bacteria or ultraviolet light can degrade them into another nitrogen-based compound that is a potential carcinogen, according to the Joint Research Centre, which provides independent scientific advice to the European Union.

In addition, the team has analyzed 16 inks using electron microscopy, and about half contained particles smaller than 100 nm. “That’s a concerning size range,” says Swierk. “Particles of this size can get through the cell membrane and potentially cause harm.” ..."

New research points to potentially harmful chemicals in tattoo ink

American Chemical Society: Exposing what’s in tattoo ink

A tattoo with a meaning

When I grew up in Germany basically only some sailors, soldiers, criminals, and prostitutes would wear tattoos (plus indigenous peoples in far away countries or Japanese criminals etc.) Well times have changed.

How appealing tattoos are is up for debate especially the more the body is covered with them. More wearers remorse may well increase as time passes.

Too bad, the guy is hiding his tattoo so much even though only a few can read it anyway.

The Jewish internet solved this missed connection on the 2 train - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Delete - Tattoo Removal & Medical Salon opens second Valley of the Sun location

What a great business to get into, i.e. Tattoo removal!

I personally find that many of these, often large parts of the body covering, Tattoos displayed by our contemporaries are not very appealing! Good riddance! 

As a male I often view  some of the Tattoos worn by females as a turn off! The lady looks great, you almost become flirtatious until you discover her Tattoos.

A severe case of buyers remorse! How healthy is this pigmentation under the skin anyway? How long do these Tattoos last before they fade?

Once upon a time primarily only sailors, soldiers, and prostitutes were wearing Tattoos in Western countries before it was discovered as a fashion craze by many. 

Human fads come and go! One of the few constants in human history! 😄

Delete - Tattoo Removal & Medical Salon opens second Valley location - Phoenix Business Journal

Austrian soldier imprisoned for showing online photos of swastika tattoo on his testicle

Jewish people are rightfully and fully understandably very sensitive about antisemitism! Never again to allow and never forget!

However, a tattoo on a testicle of one soldier? I don't know how painful tattooing is, but I heard it is not fun! If this soldier happens to be intimate with someone, I am not sure how many intimate partners would appreciate such a tattoo on the private parts! This individual may have some psychological issues and probably needs treatment.

Austrian soldier imprisoned for showing photos of swastika tattoo on testicle - Jewish Telegraphic Agency An Austrian soldier who posted online pictures of a swastika tattoo on one of his testicles was sentenced to 19 months in prison.

5,000-year-old tattoos from Ancient Egypt

Very recommendable!