Health & Wellness

Toxic Tattoos? That Ink on Your Body Might Be More Trouble Than You Think

By Bernadette Giacomazzo | May 7, 2025

Most of us have toxic tattoos we regret. Maybe it’s the tiny SpongeBob you thought was “so random” after your third margarita at Coachella. Or the name of the ex you swore was “the one,” but now is ancient history. In short, toxic tattoos are practically a rite of passage. But what if the worst part of your ink wasn’t the design or the story behind it?

What if the tattoo itself is toxic?

According to recent research and a deep dive on The Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Cole, your beloved (or not so beloved) body art might be doing more than aging badly. It could be affecting your hormones, your organs, and yes, even your risk of cancer.

The ugly truth about what’s in tattoo ink

You probably didn’t ask what was in that neon pink dragon tattoo ink, but science has some answers, and they’re not great.

Dr. Will Cole doesn’t sugarcoat it: “Tattoo ink is largely unregulated, and many inks contain heavy metals, microplastics, and carcinogens.” He also explains that tattoo ink doesn’t just stay put. “Over time, those ink particles don’t just sit there looking pretty—they migrate through your lymphatic system, liver, even brain in some cases,” he explained.

Research from the Australian Cancer Council backs this up. A 2016 report found that 83 percent of black inks tested contained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—a class of chemicals considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organization. Even more alarming: Some inks contain barium, copper, mercury, and even amines, which can release cancer-causing agents over time.

What your tattoo might be doing to your body

According to the National Institute of Health, tattoo ink—especially when injected deep into the dermis—can trigger a toxic chain reaction. Under the skin, these ink compounds can undergo chemical changes from sun exposure, metabolism, or even laser removal attempts.

The result? The formation of primary aromatic amines (PAAs), which are known to be highly carcinogenic. Add heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and lead—all found in some inks—and suddenly, that cute ankle tat looks more like a biological experiment.

Dr. Cole explains, “When your immune system is constantly fighting these foreign substances, it can lead to chronic inflammation, hormone disruption, and in some cases, autoimmune flares.”

How to tell if your tattoo is causing problems

Not every tattoo spells doom for your health, but watch for these warning signs:

You’ve developed a rash or raised bump on or near the tattoo
You feel unusually fatigued or foggy, especially after getting inked
You’ve had unexplained inflammation or chronic pain flare-ups
Your hormones feel out of whack (irregular periods, weight gain, mood swings)
You had a severe reaction during or shortly after getting the tattoo

If any of these sound familiar, Dr. Cole advises getting bloodwork done to test your toxic load and heavy metal levels. “A functional medicine approach looks at what your body is storing and where, so we can safely detox it,” he says.

So…what now?

Let’s say you’re reading this with a half-sleeve of zodiac signs, a ribcage quote from Fight Club, and a butterfly tramp stamp that’s seen better days. Now what?

Dr. Cole recommends the following steps:

Test for toxic burden. “Find a functional medicine practitioner who can test for heavy metals and PAHs in your system.”
Support your liver. Your liver is your detox workhorse. Load up on cruciferous vegetables (think broccoli and cauliflower), stay hydrated, and consider a gentle detox protocol under medical guidance.
Avoid laser removal without support. “Laser removal can break down ink into even more toxic particles,” Cole warns. “It’s important to detox before, during, and after if you go this route.”
Use clean skincare. Your skin is your largest organ. Don’t compound the problem by using products full of chemicals and endocrine disruptors.