Can Tattoos Change The Way You Sweat?

Tattoos are always considered artistic creations that embellish our bodies with unique designs ranging from religious verses to ethnic art forms and calligraphic representation of names, symbols and numbers. There are very few who intend to understand the physiological effects of getting inked.

Of the many questions that may pop up in your curious minds, the most common one is – does it change the way we sweat? Putting all the doubts to rest, recent research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA revealed that the amount of sweat produced by the skin and its saltiness change after getting tattooed.

The study suggested that tattooed skin produced almost 50% less sweat and the sodium in it was more concentrated. The alterations caused in the skin have led many people to regret their decision of getting tattooed. Over the years, the demand for laser tattoo removal in Melbourne has grown exponentially for a variety of reasons and change in sweating pattern is one of them. Let us try to understand the consequences related to changes in the way we sweat after getting tattooed. Here is a rundown on the study.

How Does A Tattoo Affect The Sweat Glands?

The tattoo artist punctures the skin with a needle filled with ink which is injected into the dermal layer. It is the same layer which houses the sweat glands. As soon as the tissues are affected, the body’s defence mechanism system comes into action.

Many immune cells move to the site of the tattoo and carry small amounts of the pigment to the lymph nodes for dissipation. The remaining cells combine with the ink and become a permanent feature of the skin. A few others work on the healing process and help in the recovery of the skin.

According to the study, the pigment in the dermal layer blocks the sweat glands and affects the concentration of sodium. However, the group of volunteers which was studied for the research was small, and the deductions may not be applicable to people who do not engage in any exercise.

 Does The Size of The Tattoo Play A Part?

According to the research, the bigger the size of the tattoo, the higher is the impact on the sweat glands. If a large area of your skin is filled with pigment and you are involved in rigorous physical activity, then you are at higher risk of acquiring heat illnesses.

On the contrary, people who have a small tattoo and do not indulge in extensive agile work do not face the same problem. The theory behind this is that sweat is vital in maintaining the body temperature and cools it down when a lot of heat is being generated.

For instance, when you are running on the treadmill in the gym, your muscles are at work and the body is producing heat. This heat is dissipated through the sweat glands to lower the body temperature. If this does not happen, then the body can succumb to heat illness which, in turn, can lead to muscle death.

It can be injurious to the health of the tattooed person as it can affect various critical body parts such as the kidneys and the brain. In some cases people use tattoo removal creams, which have their own side effects. However, the research hasn’t revealed whether people with tattoos are at a higher risk of acquiring heat illness or not. The only thing that is clearly described in the report is that the impact is directly proportional to the area covered with ink.

How Can The Athletes Get Affected?

Many argue that it must be profoundly affecting the athletes who cover their entire bodies with the art form. According to the study, it will have a significant impact on athletes, fire-fighters and soldiers who have to work in extreme conditions at very high temperatures.

These people are already doing a lot of hard labour in a hot environment which makes them sweat profusely. If they get a significant area of their body tattooed, then the percentage of sweat will be reduced, and the risk of a heat stroke may be increased.

It may also affect their performance on the field. However, it is not certain whether this study holds true in real life circumstances as the volunteer group was treated with induced sweating in a lab. Meanwhile, more in-depth studies are awaited on the subject.

Endnote

Whether it is a health concern or some sentimental reason to approach a trained professional for laser tattoo removal in Melbourne, you should know what you are getting into. Laser tattoo removal is the safest and most cost-effective method of getting rid of the ink permanently. If you want to get your tattoo removed, then consult a technician and understand the procedure in detail.