Based on the research to date, there doesn’t appear to be a significant risk of tattoos causing skin cancer. I’ve explained this before in a memo several years ago, but here’s the gist of it: I’m sticking this issue under the heading “Reserve Judgment.” When there’s no statistical significance but there may be a relationship between variables, that’s the statistical term that’s appropriate. I know you’re thinking, “Dr. Chet—50 cases. Ever! C’mon, man. What’s your problem?” There are three reasons I’m reserving judgment.

First, while tattoo businesses have . . .

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The other day, out of the blue, Paula asked me a question: “Do you think people with tattoos have more undetected skin cancer?” You can’t help but notice that more and more people of all ages are getting elaborate tattoos, some covering extensive parts of their arms and legs—the areas most likely to get increased exposure to the sun. A section of black ink could mask a rapidly growing black mole, for instance, and skin cancer could go unnoticed for longer.

Move forward 10 hours. I was changing to work out at the gym, and the guy a . . .

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