Having more than one tattoo could mean a lower risk of skin cancer, research shows

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Researchers with the Huntsman Cancer Institute found people with more than one tattoo may have a decreased risk of melanoma.

In a new study led by Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator, Jennifer Doherty, researchers evaluated 7,000 Utahns to understand the risk of melanoma, or skin cancer, from tattoos.

Research indicated that having two or more tattoo sessions decreased the risk of invasive and in situ melanoma (cancer cells that remain on the skin’s surface). Scientists say the reasons why are only speculative and more research has to be done to understand the pattern.

Doherty says her team hypothesized that having more tattoos would increase the risk of melanoma due to the carcinogens found in tattoo ink. “We really need to understand how tattoos could impact risk for different types of cancer.”

Research also showed that individuals with just one tattoo were at a higher risk of developing melanoma, especially in situ.

“For melanoma, the results seem to be mixed. But we see people with two, three, and four tattoo sessions having decreasing risk, and that’s a stronger pattern than the increased risk with just one session,” Doherty added.

Scientists say the results could indicate that individuals with several tattoos are more cautious with sun safety and take better care of their skin. Another theory posits that tattoos could form a physical barrier blocking ultraviolet radiation or cause an immune response.

“The Mountain West and the area we serve have some of the highest melanoma rates in the country,” Douglas Grossman, co-leader of the Melanoma Center at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, said. “Better understanding risk factors for melanoma will help us improve prevention strategies across the region, advise our patients about risks more accurately, and ultimately save lives.”