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Medical Video: The Immune System
A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Biology shows that the immune system of people who have a lot of tattoos works better every time they get a new tattoo than people who get their first tattoo.
The tattooing process, according to the researchers, will stimulate the immune system in a manner similar to vaccination, to increase the body's immunity to future pathogens and infections.
Is it true?
Evidence seen in research on people who were tattooed
Hobbies to make tattoos can be likened to exercise. The first time you start, your body will tend to weaken due to new stress, from body aches to stiff muscles. It's the same as the tattoo process that can sometimes make you tired, because your body wonders why you inject foreign objects into your skin.
Once you get used to exercise, your body will more easily adapt to the challenges you provide. Departing from this principle, the researchers tested blood samples from a number of participants to measure levels of immunoglobulin A, body antibodies, and cortisol, a stress hormone.
The researchers found that immunoglobulin A levels dropped dramatically in the group of participants who had their first tattoo, and their cortisol levels rose sharply. For groups of participants who got tattoos for the umpteenth time, their immunoglobulin levels dropped very little, indicating that the body naturally strengthened its immunological response.
Tattoos remain risky
But that does not mean getting dozens of tattoos means that you are completely immune from all diseases. According to Dr. Sylvie Stacy, specialist in preventive medicine in Alabama, tattoos can carry significant risks, including infections, scarring, and other potentially harmful psychological effects. It is unlikely that this risk will be comparable to the benefits of an immune response.
Christopher Lynn, professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama, acknowledged that the findings of this study could also mean that people who are physically healthy are more likely to get tattoos because their immune systems work better and can recover faster, and experience their tattoos not previously traumatic.
Lynn added, the rapid healing process and positive reactions shown by people who have a good immune system and are involved in the tattoo community might strengthen further interest in getting a new tattoo.
Conversely, people who show a bad immune reaction after their first tattoo, are less likely to come back.
Although the sample of this study is still relatively small (24 women and 5 men aged 18-47 years) and not yet fully conclusive, because it is only based on a number of determinants of the vastness of the substance involved in the performance of the body's immune system, this study opens up new possibilities that the body can be well trained to respond to stress from time to time.
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