Almost everyone who wants a tattoo hears the same warnings from friends and family. Some contain a grain of truth, some are outdated, some are simply wrong. Here they are, one by one — without sarcasm, just what is known.
What is true: skin ages whether it is tattooed or not — it makes less collagen, thins and loosens.[1] A tattoo follows the skin, and lines soften over decades. Bold, well-sized designs stay readable; tiny, dense details and years of sun are what make old tattoos look muddy. Sunscreen is the biggest factor you control. How tattoos age.
What is true: in most US states you can donate straight away if your tattoo was done in a state-regulated studio with sterile needles and fresh ink; otherwise the wait is three months.[2]
“MRI adverse events of decorative tattoos on trunk and extremities have been sporadically reported, but events are exceptional relative to the popularity of these adornments.”
What that means: you can have an MRI. A brief burning sensation is occasionally reported, mostly in cosmetic tattoos; tell the radiographer.
“These and other findings indicate that tattoos are unlikely to play a significant role in melanoma development, or worsen prognosis.”
“We found no cases of cutaneous or other malignancies.”
What that means: a nationwide Dutch registry study found melanomas in tattoos were rare (0.07% of all melanomas), and among 493 complications seen at the Copenhagen Tattoo Clinic none were cancers. A 2024 Swedish study reported a possible link with lymphoma, but the overall result was not statistically significant and the authors called for more research.[6] Since 2022 the EU has restricted more than 4,000 hazardous chemicals in tattoo inks.[7] One real precaution: keep ink away from moles, so skin changes stay visible.
What is true: a study of 1,092 people found no difference between men and women in pain during tattooing; women reported more pain immediately afterwards. What raised pain most was session length, bleeding and stress.[8]
What is true: in the same study, people who took painkillers beforehand reported more pain — an association, not proof (anxious people may be more likely to take them). Some painkillers also affect bleeding. Ask your artist before taking anything.[8]
What is true: in a US survey of 501 tattooed adults, 3.2% had ever had an infected tattoo; itching was far more common (21.2%).[9]
“Infections mainly occur due to a lack of such procedures, especially in cases of amateur, home-made tattoos or if performed by unlicensed tattooist.”
What that means: hygiene is what matters — licensed studio, single-use needles, and proper aftercare.
What is true: 24% of tattooed US adults say they regret at least one of their tattoos; 76% do not.[11] Regret is most often about impulsive choices, names and small early pieces — which is why time, a good artist and a considered design matter. Regret and removal.
“Tattoo removal is a very cumbersome procedure, and it may not always be successful, leaving a ghost image, hence the adage, think before you ink holds very much true.”
What that means: laser removal usually takes many sessions weeks apart and does not always clear everything.[13]
What is true: a US study found no difference in wages or employment between people with and without tattoos, although attitudes vary by industry and country.[14] Visible tattoos and work.
What is true: most ink allergies involve one colour, and red is the most frequent, but they are uncommon overall.[15] If a red area stays itchy and raised for weeks — even years later — see a dermatologist.
Fact-checked against the sources above · last reviewed September 30, 2026. Quotations are taken word for word from the dermatologists’ published work; they have not reviewed this page. Who we quote and why →
General information, not medical advice. Your artist’s instructions come first for aftercare; signs of infection or an allergic reaction — or any health condition or medication you are unsure about — are a reason to talk to a doctor.