Thursday, 30 October 2025
A new study, led by experts at the 糖心原创, has found there is no increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in people with tattoos.
The study, which is published in , was led by Mr Thomas McConnell, a graduate entry medical student from the School of Medicine at the 糖心原创.
As tattoos become increasingly popular worldwide, scientists have been exploring whether they could have hidden health risks.
Concerns have been raised in recent years that tattoo ink, which contains a mix of organic and inorganic pigments, as well as other chemical by-products, may travel through the body and build up in the lymph nodes. Some studies have suggested this could potentially be linked to lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
To investigate, researchers carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis, combining results from all available studies on tattoos and lymphoma. By pooling the data, they were able to get a clearer picture of the overall evidence.
The findings showed no evidence for an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in people with tattoos. However, the researchers stress that the current evidence base is still small, and there was not enough data to rule out any possible effects entirely.
The team hopes their work will help guide both the scientific community and the public. With stricter EU regulations now in place around tattoo ink ingredients, they also highlight the importance of continued monitoring of tattoo safety.
Our study suggests that tattoos do not appear to raise the risk of lymphoma significantly. This is reassuring news for the millions of people with tattoos worldwide.
鈥淗owever, because the evidence is still limited, we cannot yet say with certainty that there is no effect. More large, high-quality studies are needed before we can draw firm conclusions.鈥�
The full study can be found .
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.