By KENDRA BURDICK

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is used for various things. Some choose to express themselves through drawing on their skin. But, are there ramifications to drawing on the skin?

Many people draw on their skin without realizing the consequences of doing so. Many don’t put much thought into what they are putting on their skin and the affects in the long run. This may be due to lack of information or awareness about what’s really in the different colored inks they’re using.

Skin protects us from the environment and as shown, even writing or drawing a little, can still have its negative impacts. According to Josephine Rose, a freshman at Redland East Valley, she’s prone to drawing on herself when bored, which hurts her skin. (Ethic News photo / KENDRA BURDICK)

According to ‘Non Toxic Revolution,’ a news site that brings light to the toxins that are introduced everyday to people, “Colored inks can contain lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel and titanium. These metals can trigger allergic reactions and potentially lead to disease.”

Drawing on the skin is not only harmful for people because it is damaging to the immune system, but it can also cause plenty of other health problems for others as well.

The skin is an important part of the body that is used to regulate temperature, fight infections and provide a barrier to prevent infection. Drawing on the skin can create open wounds that allow bacteria and other contaminants to enter the body. For example, after applying a cream or ointment that has allergens, or other irritants in it, onto tattoos or some type of permanent ink may cause the tattooed designs to break open and spread the allergen or irritant around your body.

Drawing on the skin with pens or pencils is unhealthy for the skin because it can lead to infection which can cause many severe problems. The ink from pens or lead from pencils will leave behind bacteria causing infections on the surface of the skin and ink poisoning which can also lead to allergic reactions and other skin conditions.

In a recent Harvard study, “Harvard Health Publishing.edu,” it was found that “the use of tattoos as well as piercings can lead to serious health problems.” In their research, they said that the ink used for tattoos and even what is put into piercings can be toxic. They have found that drawing on your skin can cause inflammation, infection and more.

Drawing on the skin will damage the immune system through weakening one’s resistance to infection by bacteria and cause an allergy to ink. If drawing tattoos, drawing with permanent markers is not advised as this may lead to permanent scars or worse, still death. It is highly recommended to avoid drawing with pens or pencils to create healthy, vibrant, glowing and flawless skin.

A proven fact is that tattoos are permanent, yet some might not know how bad they can be for one’s health. Tattoos are linked to several health problems, including hemochromatosis, a disorder in which the body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.

In the past few years, scientists have been studying how tattoo ink can break down and release potentially toxic chemicals when it’s exposed to sunlight or skin’s natural moisture.

The MIT Study and Research of how drawing on the skin is bad observed that the skin’s surface area contains a rich network of nerve endings and it is sensitive to touch. The skin has pain receptors, temperature receptors and nerve receptors. The skin protects the body from external elements and regulates temperature by generating sweat and controlling the opening of pores in order to regulate perspiration.

Innovative research from MIT has shown that “drawing on your arm or hand can cause irritation, inflammation, itchiness, redness and pain.”

In one study, researchers used a marker to draw on participants’ hands for 15 minutes at a time. They found that while most people thought they could bear the discomfort, they “experienced itching for hours after drawing finished—or even days later.”

There are negative effects that drawing on the skin with ink or other materials can create. The effects of drawing on skin vary depending on the type and amount, but it’s ultimately unhealthy for the skin and for the mind.