What tattoos really do to our bodies' immune systems

By Christopher D. Lynn, The Conversation

Updated 1001 GMT (1801 HKT) October 3, 2019

Horiyoshi III, one of Japan's top tattoo artists, demonstrates his technique at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. Scroll through the gallery to see more tebori tattooists at work.
Photos: Japan's centuries-old art of 'hand-carved' tattoos
Horiyoshi III, one of Japan's top tattoo artists, demonstrates his technique at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. Scroll through the gallery to see more tebori tattooists at work.
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Artist Horimyo tattooing the shoulder of calligrapher Hayato Suzuki in Tokyo.
Photos: Japan's centuries-old art of 'hand-carved' tattoos
Artist Horimyo tattooing the shoulder of calligrapher Hayato Suzuki in Tokyo.
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Horiyoshii III is renowned for his full body designs, which can take years to complete.