Black ink tattoos which cover large sections 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 covering his entire upper torso.
The 33-year-old Bloody Valentine hitmaker, engaged to Megan Fox, took to his Instagram to show off the tattoo which envelops his upper body and required ’44 needles’ to complete.
But dermatologists cautioned 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 increase the risk of suffering an infection.
They can also cause ‘bumps, plaques or scaly patches on the skin’, skin to itch in response to sunlight and make it more difficult to spot cancerous skin growths.
Machine Gun Kelly, 33, shocked fans when he revealed his dramatic blackout tattoo on Instagram
‘Complications from tattooing are not uncommon and the larger the area of tattooing, the more potential for side effect,’ Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a London-based consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, told MailOnline.
All tattoos are uncomfortable and cause some pain, but large blackout artworks can make this ‘more extreme’, said Dr Wedgeworth.
When getting new ink, it’s always important to remember that an infection could occur as a result of contaminated ink or non-sterile needles.
Allergy and hypersensitivity reactions can also occur to the skin in response to any tattoo but the risk is even higher for dark or black tattoos, Dr Wedgeworth said.
‘These can manifest as bumps, plaques or scaly patches on the 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 covering his entire upper torso; MGK in 2023
His tattoo artist still has some work to go on the musician, and said the project is ‘one of the biggest she’s done in such a short time’; pictured in 2020
Another knock-on effect of covering up large sections of skin with a tattoo is that it can become harder to watch out for potential skin cancer signs, such as moles and changes to the skin, she warned.
It also puts you at a great risk of ‘sun-related itching and swelling’ in comparison to small and less dark tattoos, according to Dr Wedgeworth.
Dr Radmila Lukian, a dermatologist and founder of Lucia Clinic in Dubai, also warned that ‘inking a large portion of skin comes with various risks’.
‘These tattoos cause significant skin trauma, possibly leading to protracted healing and heightened scarring risk,’ she told MailOnline.
Plus, 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 look and covered his upper body in black ink
Research has also shown that tattoo ink can make its way into your lymph nodes, the body’s centre for fighting infection and disease.
In 2019, researchers from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, found that nickel and chromium, which are allergens, are shed from tattoo needles when ink contains titanium dioxide — a white pigment often mixed into bright colours including blue, green and red.
‘Certain tattoo pigments can migrate from the skin into the bloodstream and lymphatic system, potentially collecting in nearby lymph nodes,’ Dr Lukian said.
‘This could lead to inflammation, immune reactions, or other effects over time.
‘Additionally, certain tattoo pigments may contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals or carcinogens, which could pose health risks if they migrate into the body.’
Black tattoo ink can also contain substances that are 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 carcinogens and therefore we don’t want high levels of them in our body,’ she said.
But Dr Wedgeworth noted that there is no good evidence to link tattoos to an increased risk of cancer.
Those looking to get inked should ensure they turn to a professional.
‘Tattooing is becoming more regulated and there are now rules to limit certain substances being used in tattoo inks,’ said Dr Wedgeworth.
‘Reputable tattoo practitioners require a licence, so it’s important to have any tattoo done by a professional,’ she added.
