http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/mens_health/science_unveils_sinister_side_to_I2XyZFBM38Uga0KF3JFEfO

“As tattoos have become more fashionable they have attracted more scientific research, and concern is now emerging about a possible long-term health risk.

There is solid science to show that many of the inks used in tattoos contain carcinogens. This means people are having cancer-producing particles injected directly into their skin.

But oddly enough, they are not developing skin cancers. One explanation is that these particles are stable. If they were not stable, the tattoo would not be permanent.

However, when people want to remove a tattoo, lasers are often used. Lasers shatter the pigments, making the particles unstable and more likely to flow into the body’s lymph system.”

More disturbing news at link.

My advice: if you want pitchers on your skin, draw them on with Textas. Then wash them off when you’re sick of them.

if you want pitchers in your skin
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Wine, wine, wine…

and yet

“But, with 100 million Europeans now inked, it is surprising tattoo-related skin cancers are not being seen in skin clinics. Our clinic has never seen a skin cancer arising in a tattoo due to a suspicious pigment.”

A major review published in The Lancet Oncology traced 50 cases of skin cancer in tattoos but Serup says this number is insignificant given how many spontaneous cancers appear in skin independent of tattoo pigment.”

so far it seems the tattoo is ok, it’s changing your mind a getting it removed..

ink’s are not regulated. Many don’t contain carcinogens. some might. Some do. some might contain organic solvents acting as th carrier that you, as a one in a million, chance have an allergic reaction to.

Caution and care is involved when choosing an artist and anyone who is reputable will gladly show you what ink they have and let you in on the ingredients (if they make their own)

and for interest, from wiki:

The Roman physician Aetius created a recipe for tattoo ink:

One pound of Egyptian pine bark

Two ounces of corroded bronze, ground with vinegar

Two ounces of gall (insect egg deposits)

One ounce of vitriol (iron sulphate)

Mix well and sift. Soak powder in 2 parts water and 1 part leek juice. Wash the skin to be tattooed with leek juice. Prick design with needles until blood is drawn. Rub in the ink.