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These Colored Tattoos Are Not Only Pretty But Also Track Your State Of Health
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These Colored Tattoos Are Not Only Pretty But Also Track Your State Of Health

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With the advancement of modern technology comes all kinds of crazy ideas on how to track human activity, health issues, and whatnot. Some of them might seem a bit too invasive, so we understand if being chipped, for example, is not exactly your cup of tea. On the other hand, a better solution can always be found if you just look for it. That’s exactly the case with health tracking and well-being – today’s story will explain how exactly to do that without any invasion to your body.

Scroll down to find out more!

Scientists in Germany have recently come up with something that could make it easier to monitor one’s health

Image credits: Geoff Livingston

Many people nowadays choose to tattoo something of meaning or personal significance on their bodies. Some would even agree on calling it a form of art but a technological advancement in the 21st century has recently brought it up a level and found a way to use small tattoos for medical purposes.

They invented dermal sensors that can substitute as ink for tattooing

Image credits: Wiley-VCH

The color of tattoos made with such ink varies depending on your health

Image credits: Wiley-VCH

German scientists came up with dermal sensors that can be infused into human skin instead of tattooing ink that changes its color according to one’s blood pH, sugar and sodium levels, allowing for the person’s health to be tracked without ever visiting a doctor’s office.

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It changes due to varying blood pH or other health indicators

Image credits: Wiley-VCH

This makes it possible to know your condition without constantly taking blood samples

Image credits: Wiley-VCH

This new discovery could be really useful for people who constantly need to have their blood samples taken, for example, the ones with diabetes or kidney illnesses. Therefore, glucose indicators in these tattoos could be particularly helpful for them as it changes color from yellow to dark green depending on the patient’s blood sugar levels.

This kind of tattooing concept is rather new

Image credits: Wiley-VCH

Scientists from MIT and Harvard formed a group called Dermal Abyss earlier on

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Image credits: Dermal Abyss

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Using this new invention instead of regular tattoo ink offers an advanced way to care for your health by having an aesthetically pleasing decoration on your skin that can be made completely personal and wouldn’t be associated with your health by others, therefore giving you the advantage of keeping it discreet.

And experimented making tattoo ink with biosensors

Image credits: Dermal Abyss

With a similar idea for the ink to change color according to blood pH levels

Image credits: Dermal Abyss

As on this day, it has only been tested on pig skin that is commonly used for practice by tattoo artists. Hopefully, it will soon be acknowledged as safe for human use and will make the lives of many people a lot easier and healthier!

Tracking your health was never easier

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Image credits: Dermal Abyss

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Judita K

Judita K

Author, Community member

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Incurable book lover and thinker, Marvel geek and social media enthusiast with a Bachelor's Degree In Creative Communication. Will write everything about anything as long as it brings joy to pandas all over the world.

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Judita K

Judita K

Author, Community member

Incurable book lover and thinker, Marvel geek and social media enthusiast with a Bachelor's Degree In Creative Communication. Will write everything about anything as long as it brings joy to pandas all over the world.

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Chrissy Neibarger
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could be a game changer for those who have diabetes and don't check their sugar levels as often as they should! Just think about it... A tattoo that could literally save someone's life!

Lindsey Turner
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the concept is great, however the ink from a tattoo gets encapsulated. That's the only way it can stay without your body disposing of the ink. How would this work?

Koalamonster
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm wondering if you wouldn't just need to have it redone with some level of frequency- but that begs the question of possibly damaging the area and if there's other regular ink involved having that get a bit blown out. Which is why we probably won't see third as an option for us regulars for at least a few years.

Load More Replies...
Reirei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quite remarkable. I wonder if people will still hate tattoos as much as they do if they're also potentially lifesaving?

Esca Sav
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a few groups of researchers over the years that are using tattoos to keep track of different health risks (I believe there was one specifically to remind a person to take insulin?). I am curious, with the way technology is improving I wonder how long it'll take to get on the market if there are no health risks associated with the design.

DP von Icecream
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wondering if this is also possible for purine levels in your blood.

Toby Martin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am finding references to Harvard doing this research a few years ago https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/d-Abyss/overview/ but nothing about Germany. The Harvard group is many years away from being available.

ispeak catanese
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might be best to wait and see a few years instead of getting in line for one.

Oerff On Tour
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is more one of those cases of "Just because we CAN, does not necessarily mean that we SHOULD "

Chrissy Neibarger
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could be a game changer for those who have diabetes and don't check their sugar levels as often as they should! Just think about it... A tattoo that could literally save someone's life!

Lindsey Turner
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the concept is great, however the ink from a tattoo gets encapsulated. That's the only way it can stay without your body disposing of the ink. How would this work?

Koalamonster
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm wondering if you wouldn't just need to have it redone with some level of frequency- but that begs the question of possibly damaging the area and if there's other regular ink involved having that get a bit blown out. Which is why we probably won't see third as an option for us regulars for at least a few years.

Load More Replies...
Reirei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quite remarkable. I wonder if people will still hate tattoos as much as they do if they're also potentially lifesaving?

Esca Sav
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a few groups of researchers over the years that are using tattoos to keep track of different health risks (I believe there was one specifically to remind a person to take insulin?). I am curious, with the way technology is improving I wonder how long it'll take to get on the market if there are no health risks associated with the design.

DP von Icecream
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wondering if this is also possible for purine levels in your blood.

Toby Martin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am finding references to Harvard doing this research a few years ago https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/d-Abyss/overview/ but nothing about Germany. The Harvard group is many years away from being available.

ispeak catanese
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might be best to wait and see a few years instead of getting in line for one.

Oerff On Tour
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is more one of those cases of "Just because we CAN, does not necessarily mean that we SHOULD "

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