Let’s Talk Tattoos

Tattoos have become incredibly popular. For many people they are a form of self-expression, art, or a way to mark an important moment in life. But from a natural health perspective, tattoos raise some important questions that are rarely discussed.

As a naturopath, one thing I personally would never choose to do is get a tattoo. The reason is simple: what we place on our skin matters.

Your skin is not just a protective covering—it is a living, breathing organ and one of the body’s primary pathways of absorption. We already know that many substances applied to the skin can enter the bloodstream. This is the very principle behind products like nicotine patches, hormone creams, and certain medications that are delivered through the skin.

When a tattoo is applied, ink is injected repeatedly into the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. This is not simply pigment sitting on the surface. The body recognizes tattoo ink as a foreign substance. Some of the particles remain trapped in the skin, but research has shown that some pigment particles can travel through the lymphatic system and enter circulation.

The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering waste, toxins, and foreign particles from the body. When tattoo ink particles migrate, they may accumulate in lymph nodes. Over time, this adds another burden for a system that is already responsible for clearing many environmental toxins.

Another concern is the composition of tattoo inks. Many inks contain a mixture of metals, preservatives, solvents, and synthetic pigments. Depending on the color, inks may contain elements such as nickel, chromium, cobalt, or other compounds. These substances were originally developed for industrial use—things like printing inks or automotive pigments—not necessarily for repeated injection into human skin.

Because tattoo inks are not always tightly regulated in every region, it can be difficult to know exactly what is being placed into the body.

Some individuals experience immediate reactions such as redness, itching, or allergic responses. Others may not notice any symptoms at all. But from a naturopathic perspective, the concern is not only short-term reactions—it is the long-term burden placed on the body’s detoxification systems, particularly the liver and lymphatic system.

In my practice, I focus heavily on supporting the body’s natural elimination pathways: the liver, kidneys, skin, lymphatic system, and digestive tract. These systems work continuously to clear substances the body does not need. Introducing permanent pigments into the skin creates something the body must continually manage but can never fully eliminate.

This does not mean that everyone with a tattoo will experience health problems. Many people have tattoos and feel perfectly well. However, it is important to understand that the body always responds to foreign substances, even if that response is subtle.

From a natural health perspective, the goal is usually the opposite—to reduce the toxic load, support detoxification, and minimize unnecessary exposures whenever possible.

The skin is one of the body’s most important organs of elimination and protection. Caring for it by choosing clean, natural products and avoiding unnecessary chemical exposures can help keep the body’s internal environment balanced.

Ultimately, the decision to get a tattoo is personal. But it is worth remembering that the skin absorbs far more than most people realize, and what we introduce into the body—whether through food, air, or skin—can have effects that go far deeper than the surface.

Frances Michaelson