Researchers at Alma college said tattoos interfere with the basic functions of the sweat glands. They said this phenomenon could impact even our national defense.
Maurie Luetkemeier is a professor of integrated physiology and health science at Alma College. He said in theory the more tattoos somebody has the greater chance they could suffer in the sun or with exertion.
“It looks like both the production of what we call primary sweat down in the bottom of the sweat gland is affected so you produce about half the amount of sweat. There’s evidence to support that the sweat glands are affected by either the ink or the trauma associated with the tattoo”.
Luetkemeier said he wants to dig deeper into how and why tattoos may affect members of the armed forces.
“Well, like military personnel if they are in a training exercise or a combat situation where they’re producing lots of heat. Do those tattoos affect their ability to cool themselves? We know if you are overheated you will not perform as well”.
Luetkemeier said he’ll be seeking funding to dig deeper into his findings. Specifically, he wants to study what percentage of skin needs to be tattooed before an individual is considered at risk of heat related complications.