Black ink tattoos that cover large areas of skin can cause infections and even make it harder to spot early signs of skin cancer, experts warned today.
Machine Gun Kelly shocked fans yesterday when he revealed his dramatic blackout tattoo that covered his entire upper body.
The 33-year-old Bloody Valentine hitmaker, who is engaged to Megan Fox, took to his Instagram to show off the tattoo that covers his torso and requires ’44 needles’.
But dermatologists warned that full-body tattoos, which can also be seen on the likes of Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers, are not only more painful than standard tattoos but also increase the risk of infection.
They can also cause ‘bumps, plaques or scaly patches of skin’, itching of the skin in response to sunlight and make it harder to spot cancerous skin growths.
Machine Gun Kelly, 33, shocked fans when he revealed his dramatic blackout tattoo on Instagram
‘Complications with tattooing are not uncommon and the larger the tattoo area, the greater the chance of side effects,’ Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a London-based dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, told MailOnline.
All tattoos are uncomfortable and cause some pain, but large blackout works of art can make this more “extreme,” Dr Wedgeworth said.
When purchasing new ink, it is always important to remember that infection can occur due to contaminated ink or unsterile needles.
Allergy and hypersensitivity reactions can also occur on the skin in response to a tattoo, but the risk is even greater for dark or black tattoos, Dr. Wedgeworth said.
“These can manifest as bumps, plaques or scaly patches of skin over the area of the tattoo,” she said.
The Bloody Valentine hitmaker, 33 — whose fiancée Megan Fox showed off a dramatic new look at the People’s Choice Awards — took to his Instagram to debut a blackout tattoo that covered his entire upper body; MGK in 2023
His tattoo artist still has some work to do on the musician and said the project is “one of the biggest she’s done in such a short time”; in the photo in 2020
Another knock-on effect of covering large areas of skin with a tattoo is that it becomes more difficult to pay attention potential skin cancer signs, such as moles and changes in the skin, she warned.
According to Dr. Wedgeworth, you also run a high risk of “sun-related itching and swelling” compared to small and less dark tattoos.
Dr. Radmila Lukian, dermatologist and founder of the Lucia Clinic in Dubai, also warned that “inking a large area of skin carries several risks.”
‘These tattoos cause significant skin trauma, potentially leading to prolonged healing and an increased risk of scarring,’ she told MailOnline.
Additionally, removing black ink can be difficult due to the deep, dense black ink, making it a “long-term commitment,” she warned.
Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers and MMA fighter also drastically changed his appearance and covered his upper body in black ink
Research has also shown that tattoo ink can make its way to the lymph nodes, the body’s center for fighting infections and diseases.
In 2019, researchers at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France found that nickel and chromium, which are allergens, are repelled from tattoo needles when the ink contains titanium dioxide – a white pigment that is often mixed in bright colors, including blue, green and red.
“Certain tattoo pigments can migrate from the skin into the bloodstream and lymphatic system and possibly collect in nearby lymph nodes,” said Dr. Lukian.
‘Over time, this can lead to inflammation, immune responses or other effects.
‘Additionally, certain tattoo pigments may contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals or carcinogens, which can pose health risks if they migrate into the body.’
Black tattoo ink may also contain substances classified as cancer-causing chemicals, warns Dr Wedgeworth.
‘The main ingredient in black tattoos is carbon black with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
“These substances are classified as carcinogenic and therefore we do not want high levels of them in our bodies,” she said.
But Dr. Wedgeworth noted that there is no good evidence linking tattoos to an increased risk of cancer.
Those looking to get inked should make sure they turn to a professional.
‘Tattooing is becoming increasingly regulated and there are now rules to restrict the use of certain substances in tattoo inks,’ says Dr Wedgeworth.
“Reputable tattoo practitioners require a license, so it’s important to have any tattoo done by a professional,” she added.