At what point when getting tattoos does the ink go into the lymph nodes? Does is stay there indefinitely? What harm can it do?

Question

I have a lot of tattoos from 13 years ago to even last month. I've been reading about the tattoo ink in the lymph nodes. I'm worried of what could happen to me. I also wanted to know logistically how it works. Does tattoo ink go into the lymph when being tattooed or does it leach in throughout the years? I would like to know as far as information that's out so far I understand there is a lot we don't know...

Jeffrey Gosin, MD, FACS · Answer

Your body views tattoo ink as a foreign material.  Your immune system is always trying to remove it.  It should not damage your lymph nodes.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!  The tattoo ink does not go into your lymph nodes and it can’t affect lymph nodes. The tattoo ink is being absorbed by your immune system that is trying to get rid of it since it perceives it as foreign body. Laser tattoo removal encourages this process by destroying ink to the tinny particles that are being dissolved and taken out by your immune system. If you are not content with your existing tattoos, you can always consider laser tattoo removal. Best of luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

The tattoo ink does not go into your lymph nodes and it can’t affect lymph nodes. The tattoo ink is being absorbed by your immune system that is trying to get rid of it since it perceives it as foreign body. Laser tattoo removal encourages this process by destroying ink to the tinny particles that are being dissolved and taken out by your immune system. If you are not content with your existing tattoos, you can always consider laser tattoo removal. Good luck!

At what point when getting tattoos does the ink go into the lymph nodes? Does is stay there indefinitely? What harm can it do?

Answers (3)