Tattooing does not harm the nervous system by causing a short circuit, according to current understanding, debunking the myth as mere foolishness.
In recent times, a video circulating on social media has stirred concerns about the safety of tattoos, claiming they cause "short circuits" in the body and potentially damage the nervous system. However, this assertion is baseless and lacks scientific validity.
Firstly, it's essential to clarify that tattoos involve ink deposited in the dermis layer of the skin, where immune cells interact with the ink particles, leading to permanent pigmentation but not electrical or nervous system disruptions [2]. This debunks the claim made in the video.
While it's true that tattoo ink particles can migrate to lymph nodes and might cause local immune responses or chronic inflammation, these health implications are distinct from any neurological "short circuits" or direct nervous system damage [1][3][5].
It's important to note that the concept of "electronic tattoos"—temporary tattoos embedded with electronics—is a separate emerging technology and does not refer to traditional ink tattoos. These electronic devices interface with the skin for medical or monitoring purposes and have their own research considerations but are unrelated to traditional tattoos causing nervous system damage [4].
Dr. Donís Muñoz, a dermatologist expert in tattoos, states that the "electric points" referred to in the video do not exist in scientific literature [6]. Similarly, Eduardo Nagore, a dermatologist from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), denies that tattoos damage the nervous system [7].
The origin of the misleading video can be traced back to a 2018 YouTube publication with over 266,000 views [8]. It's worth mentioning that the person responsible for the publication has a history of spreading misleading content about health topics [9].
Contrary to the video's claims, the Maori culture, which has 80% of their body covered in tattoos, has not shown a higher incidence of cancer [10]. Furthermore, black ink, which is potentially carcinogenic due to its high content of aromatic hydrocarbons, has been used for over 4,000 years without showing a higher incidence of cancer [11].
In summary, while tattooing may influence immune function or inflammation locally, no scientific data supports the concept that tattoos cause electrical disturbances or damage in the nervous system. It's crucial to approach health information critically and verify its sources before spreading it.
The average person might wonder if there's any connection between tattoos and mental health, given the recent hoax claiming they can cause "short circuits" in the body. However, it's crucial to consider that the assertion of nervous system damage due to tattoos lacks scientific basis, as supported by dermatologists like Dr. Donís Muñoz and Eduardo Nagore. In reality, health-and-wellness concerns related to tattoos primarily revolve around local immune responses or chronic inflammation – not neurological issues.
