Tattoos Look Cool But They Might Give You HIV Or Cancer, Apparently

Just one more reason your Mr. Mets tattoo was a bad idea. (Photo via milkshakepants)

Today in scaremongering: the FDA has recently launched a new tattoo study, focused on a chemical in black ink called benzo(a)pyrene, which may give you cancer. Their studies on lab animals have shown that it could lead to skin cancer and malignant melanomas. These concerns have been around for a few months, however, and as of now "doesn't seem to concern tattoo artists or their clients." (For the record, two out of two Gothamist staffers with black ink aren't that concerned, though one declared: "I have enough possible made up ailments to worry about!"). But maybe this Daily News story will?

The paper reports today that a man contracted HIV after getting a tattoo in Bali. The Western Australian man was there on a recent holiday, and now health officials are warning travelers "to be careful about getting tattoos or piercings in developing countries."

In conclusion: NOTHING IS FUN ANYMORE.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on December 27, 2011 11:36 AM

Comments [rss]

Midnight Fapper

Slightly increasing your chances of skin cancer are these least of these peoples' concerns.

The lack of opportunities that arise from having visible tattoos is FAR worse.

Joey__Blow

tats are gross

m015094

I heard that if you get a face tattoo that it can cause brain damage. Strike that, reverse it

luke_1

Yo Gothamist staffer: cancer isn't a made up ailment, no matter what Ron Paul's newsletters say.

Just sayin'.

robingee

This again?

Theose

Just get a really dark gray. Problem solved. Or "prison black" just some paper ashes mixed with water, if you want that "organic look".

robingee

Sharpie!

Roark

Life causes death.

Most Oncologists know that if a human being lives long enough some form of cancer or malignant cells are bound to develop.

Of course, I subconsciously fear commitment so my skin has never been branded - one bullet out of an infinite amount dodged.

I guess this is one more bittersweet reason to be someone that loves commitment - ie someone who has ink.

Guest

So, one person in a underdeveloped country gets HIV with their tattoo and now it's a problem worldwide? Glad to know my tattoo artists follow all health guidelines.

Pozzolana

(This was supposed to be a reply to PlumNYC)

I work with a Dominican woman and a Puerto Rican one (both live in the Bronx). Both refer to themselves as Spanish. This has always confused me. I also have a friend from Galicia who says that in New York he always calls himself a Spaniard so as to distinguish himself from Latin Americans. I'm not trying to prove anything except that there doesn't seem to be a consistent usage of the term "Spanish" in NYC.

Freddi BuBu

Yea, God forbid you're actually a Spaniard but get lumped together with the Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. As my Latino friends here might attest to, there is a definite "hierarchy" amongst all the Spanish-speaking peoples.....

PlumNYC

Yea, I'm Dominican. Some Latin people never bother to figure out the difference or are just used to saying Spanish. I have Spanish friends, so I learned to use the correct term.

Trustafarian

what are your thoughts on using latino(a) vs hispanic?

"spanish" being used as a broad term for spanish speakers personally drives me nuts. it makes as much sense as calling a Haitian "french"

PlumNYC

Some people take offense to the use of Hispanic because they think it labels Latin people as the property of Spain..haha...which for a while we were. I just use Latin, Latino or Latina or whatever the person's country of original is, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Mexican, etc.

pendejito

"Tattoos Look Cool"

Opinion, not fact.

LesFleursDuMal

Tattoos. Conforming to be a non-conformist. "Its tribal bro"

Pozzolana

Sure, there are some for whom a tattoo is an attempt at nonconformity. Then there are the many other reasons people get tattoos. When I was growing up, a goodly portion of my friends' parents had tattoos, so when I got one it certainly wasn't out of rebellion. I thought of it as a legitimate and accepted form of expression. I realize that's a personal anecdote, but tattoos can be, you know, personal. Don't assume the motivation is the same for everyone.

Guest

Yeah, because everything starts out as conformist. You know what's really non-conformist? Snarky anonymous comments.

Ashley Jones

Its not news that tattoos can be dangerous to get, just like any time when you're breaking the skin and dealing with body fluids, communicable diseases are possible. Be careful and know your artist...and dont get tattoos in developing countries...DUH

Freddi BuBu

Somehow, I doubt pretty much these new findings will stop 15 yo Spanish girls from getting their trademark "tramp stamps."

Park_ing

Hey, I'm a Spanish girl and I ain't got no tramp stamp.

Mike_Nesmith

So you are saying that you do have a tramp stamp?

Park_ing

Hey, respect the double negative!

TrollyMcTrollington

How else are you supposed to tell them apart when you are raw dogging it from behind?

robingee

If you ever get to have sex with a girl, you let us know, studly!

TrollyMcTrollington

Your mom is kind of old to be called a 'girl', but ok.

Hey-o!

PlumNYC

Latin, not Spanish. Spanish people are from Spain. And tramp stamps aren't just a Latin girl thing. I don't even know any Latin girls with tramp stamps and I'm Latin.