5 ms·

I'm curious what confounding factors might be at play. I think tattoos have gotten more mainstream in recent decades, but I'd guess that before that it correla

I'm curious what confounding factors might be at play. I think tattoos have gotten more mainstream in recent decades, but I'd guess that before that it correlated with other risk factors [0]. [0] I'm not making any kind of oblique reference. I have no idea what those factors might be.

65a 2y ago
This was also my reaction almost immediately. Tattoos can have extensive correlation with social and lifestyle factors that could easily mean the difference between correlation and causation here.
noncoml 2y ago
The hypothesis is that macrophages transport ink to the lymph nodes during the healing period
- arisAlexis 2y ago
  Is there any proof that after healing there is nothing going on
  - noncoml 2y ago
    See sibling reply
- wk_end 2y ago
  The study itself [0] makes a stronger claim: When any antigen breaches the skin barrier, the local immunologic response includes cell-mediated translocation of the antigen to the local lymph nodes from where a systemic immune response is initiated. The translocation of tattoo ink seems to be very effective; it has been estimated that 32% of the injected pigment is translocated after 6 weeks, and that as much as 99% may become translocated over time. In clinical settings, pigmented and enlarged lymph nodes have been described in tattooed individuals for decades. Translocation of both black and coloured tattoo pigments to human lymph nodes has been confirmed, as have depositions of metal particles from tattoo needle wear. That is - it's not just during the healing period, and that it's been confirmed rather than a hypothesis. [0] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537024002281 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258953702...
  - noncoml 2y ago
    Yes, sorry. I meant the hypothesis is that that’s what’s causing the cancer. Didn’t realize it continued after the healing process as well. That logically means that the earlier you got the tattoo the worse it is.

65a 2y ago

This was also my reaction almost immediately. Tattoos can have extensive correlation with social and lifestyle factors that could easily mean the difference between correlation and causation here.

noncoml 2y ago

The hypothesis is that macrophages transport ink to the lymph nodes during the healing period

arisAlexis 2y ago
Is there any proof that after healing there is nothing going on
- noncoml 2y ago
  See sibling reply
wk_end 2y ago
The study itself [0] makes a stronger claim: When any antigen breaches the skin barrier, the local immunologic response includes cell-mediated translocation of the antigen to the local lymph nodes from where a systemic immune response is initiated. The translocation of tattoo ink seems to be very effective; it has been estimated that 32% of the injected pigment is translocated after 6 weeks, and that as much as 99% may become translocated over time. In clinical settings, pigmented and enlarged lymph nodes have been described in tattooed individuals for decades. Translocation of both black and coloured tattoo pigments to human lymph nodes has been confirmed, as have depositions of metal particles from tattoo needle wear. That is - it's not just during the healing period, and that it's been confirmed rather than a hypothesis. [0] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537024002281 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258953702...
- noncoml 2y ago
  Yes, sorry. I meant the hypothesis is that that’s what’s causing the cancer. Didn’t realize it continued after the healing process as well. That logically means that the earlier you got the tattoo the worse it is.