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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Tattoo ink darkening of a yellow tattoo after Q-switched laser treatment.

The popularity of tattoos is burgeoning with 20-30 million tattooed individuals in the Western World. Requests for removal can be expected to rise concurrently with increased applications. Laser removal of tattoos is potentially a more cosmetically acceptable method of removing tattoos than surgical excision or dermabrasion. Nevertheless, complications and side-effects can result from laser treatment and include scarring, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, partial removal, infection, bleeding and tattoo ink darkening. The latter has been reported for flesh-toned and red tattoos. Such a complication has never been reported for the laser treatment of a yellow tattoo in the dermatological literature. We describe a case of tattoo ink darkening of a yellow tattoo after treatment with the 532 nm quality-switched Neodymium : Ytrrium-Aluminium Garnet laser to highlight clinicopathological features. The mechanism by which some tattoos darken after laser treatment is not clearly understood. We review darkening of tattoos after laser treatment to raise awareness of this important complication. This paper will help to facilitate discussions with the patient and in obtaining informed consent prior to commencing treatment. Tattoo ink darkening of a yellow tattoo adds to the growing list of complications resulting from attempts at tattoo removal.

Color↗
PubMed2005

Response of mouse skin to tattooing: use of SKH-1 mice as a surrogate model for human tattooing.

Tattooing is a popular cosmetic practice involving more than 45 million US citizens. Since the toxicology of tattoo inks and pigments used to formulate tattoo inks has not been reported, we studied the immunological impact of tattooing and determined recovery time from this trauma. SKH-1 hairless mice were tattooed using commercial tattoo inks or suspensions of titanium dioxide, cadmium sulfide, or iron oxide, and sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 3, 4, 7, or 14 days post-tattooing. Histological evaluation revealed dermal hemorrhage at 0.5 and 1 day. Acute inflammation and epidermal necrosis were initiated at 0.5 day decreasing in incidence by day 14. Dermal necrosis and epidermal hyperplasia were prominent by day 3, reducing in severity by day 14. Chronic active inflammation persisted in all tattooed mice from day 3 to 14 post-tattooing. Inguinal and axillary lymph nodes were pigmented, the inguinal being most reactive as evidenced by lymphoid hyperplasia and polymorphonuclear infiltration. Cutaneous nuclear protein concentrations of nuclear factor-kappa B were elevated between 0.5 and 4 days. Inflammatory and proliferative biomarkers, cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and ornithine decarboxylase protein levels were elevated between 0.5 and 4 days in the skin and decreased to control levels by day 14. Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-10 were elevated in the lymph nodes but suppressed in the tattooed skin, with maximal suppression occurring between days 0.5 and 4. These data demonstrate that mice substantially recover from the tattooing insult by 14 days, leaving behind pigment in the dermis and the regional lymph nodes. The response seen in mice is similar to acute injury seen in humans, suggesting that the murine model might be a suitable surrogate for investigating the toxicological and phototoxicological properties of ingredients used in tattooing.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Tattoos: a review of tattoo practices and potential treatment options for removal.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to present an overview of tattoo practices, complications and treatment options relevant to the pediatric population. RECENT FINDINGS: Tattoos are popular among adolescents for a variety of reasons and may be associated with other high-risk behaviors. Research indicates that adolescents may not comprehend potential health risks and complications that are related to tattooing. Case reports of infection, tattoo-associated dermatoses, and allergic reactions to tattoos continue to be reported in the literature. Additional cases of allergic contact dermatitis are being reported with temporary henna tattooing and cosmetic tattoos. As the desire for tattoo removal increases, researchers continue to explore safe, innovative and efficacious methods of tattoo removal. SUMMARY: As the popularity of tattooing continues to rise, so do the potential complications and adverse effects. Treatment options for tattoos are well described and must be individualized to each patient. Lasers continue to be a reliable and efficacious tool in treating amateur, professional, cosmetic and traumatic tattoos.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Tattooing and risk for transfusion-transmitted diseases: the role of the type, number and design of the tattoos, and the conditions in which they were performed.

Tattoos have been shown to be associated with transfusion-transmitted diseases (TTDs), particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Very little is known about the association between different categories of tattoos and TTDs. In a cross-sectional study in Brazil, we studied 182 individuals with tattoos and assessed the odds of testing positive for a TTD according to tattoo type, number, design and performance conditions. Major findings were significant associations between an increasing number of tattoos and HBV infection (odds ratio (OR) of 2.04 for two tattoos and 3.48 for > or = 3 tattoos), having a non-professional tattoo and testing positive for at least one TTD (OR = 3.25), and having > or = 3 tattoos and testing positive for at least one TTD (OR = 2.98). We suggest that non-professional tattoos and number of tattoos should be assessed as potential deferral criteria in screening blood donors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Tattoos and tattooing. Part I: History and methodology.

Most medical examiners and pathologists who routinely perform autopsies identify tattoos on a daily basis. However, these dermagraphics generally are given only cursory inspection and description, if at all, although many pathologists photograph particularly unique, unusual, or bizarre examples. From a medicolegal perspective, these permanent skin designs are most often used as identification markers, especially in cases of unknown or questionable identity. The majority of pathologists and other physicians are not familiar with the way in which tattoos are applied, much less the history of this unusual art or the various aspects of tattoos that may provide even more complete information as to how, where, why, and when the tattoos were done. This article, the first of three parts, provides a brief but comprehensive history of tattooing from both the worldwide and Western perspectives, describes how professional tattooing is done, and illustrates the machines involved and the various constituents of the inks that are currently used. The second and third articles will explore the gross and histopathology of tattoos, methods of tattoo removal, medical applications and complications associated with tattoos, psychology and psychopathology of tattoos, and the importance of tattoos in forensic medicine.

Europe↗
PubMed1997

The Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser and tattoos: a microscopic analysis of laser-tattoo interactions.

The Nd:YAG laser effectively removes or lightens amateur and professional tattoos. The biomechanics of the removal of tattoo particles at the cellular level are incompletely understood. We examined biopsies obtained from 35 amateur and professional tattoos (including coloured tattoos), treated on three or more occasions with the Nd:YAG laser. Biopsies taken immediately after laser treatment showed vacuolation with complete clearance of tattoo particles in the most superficial layers of the dermis, as assessed by light and electron microscopy. We propose that the 'disappearance' of the tattoo particle arises from the formation of atomic species and gaseous products, which are rapidly dissolved in the extracellular fluid. Residual fragmented particles that are commonly found in the mid- and lower dermis are rephagocytosed. The interaction between the Nd:YAG laser and black tattoo particles at 1064 nm, and red tattoo particles at 532 nm, appears to be specific, as there was little evidence of thermal damage to adjacent cells or stromal collagen.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Tattoos and tattooing. Part II: Gross pathology, histopathology, medical complications, and applications.

Tattooing involves piercing the skin with needles bearing various pigments, to cause the permanent imprint of a design. The body responds to these incursions in specific and predictable ways, with initial sloughing of the overlying epidermis, variable dermal inflammation, and gradual assimilation of the pigment into macrophages. Eventually, much of the pigment is carried to the regional draining lymph nodes, with a residue staying within macrophages localized to dermal perivascular regions. The age of tattoos may be estimated, both grossly and microscopically. Tattooing can result in a variety of relatively uncommon complications and adverse reactions to the pigment, and certain infectious diseases may be inadvertently transmitted through tattooing when the instruments are inadequately sterilized, or when poor technique is used. This article, the second of three, describes the gross and microscopic pathology of both fresh and healed tattoos, and discusses the various complications (infectious and otherwise) that can occur. Tattooing has specific applications in both dermatology and plastic and reconstructive surgery, and these are also discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of tattooing and body piercing in Germany and perception of health, mental disorders, and sensation seeking among tattooed and body-pierced individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to obtain data on the incidence and relationship of psychological factors to tattooing and body piercing from a large and representative sample of German citizens (N=2043). METHODOLOGY: Representative data (sample age range=14-93 years) were evaluated with respect to health-related quality of life (SF-36), mental health (General Health Questionnaire), mental disorders (Patient Health Questionnaire), and sensation seeking (Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking). RESULTS: The prevalence of tattooing and that of body piercing in the general German population are 8.5% and 6.5%, respectively. Individuals aged between 14 and 24 years display the highest rate of body piercings or tattoos (females, 41%; males, 27%). Within the group of individuals aged between 14 and 44 years, unemployment and nonaffiliation to a church are positively correlated, tattooing is significantly correlated with the perception of reduced mental health, and both tattooing and body piercing are correlated with significantly increased sensation-seeking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Next to being motivated by fashion and the urge to fit in with one's peers, the major reasons for body modification practices in the German population appear to be negatively perceived conditions of life, reduced social integration, and increased sensation-seeking behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Significance of a single tattoo in dyssocial probands. Statistical comparison of socially maladjustment, male delinquents with and without tattoos].

Although tattooing is not confined to the circle of sociopaths and delinquents, it is widely known, that criminal offenders always had heightened tendencies towards this kind of body ornamentation. The author makes an attempt to clarify the significance of a single tattoo in a sample of male delinquents by comparing the tattooed and the non-tattooed individuals. In spite of the popular prejudice, the results of this trial show, that delinquents with one tattoo stem from comparatively more favourable familiar backgrounds, are less loaded with mental disorders and delinquency among blood relatives, show better scholastic and professional accomplishments. However, tendencies toward addictive and delinquent behavior were comparable in the two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Elemental analysis of tattoo dyes-is there a potential risk from tattoo dyes?].

BACKGROUND: Tattoo dyes in current use can cause foreign body reactions. METHODS: There are no rules regulating the composition of tattoo dyes. We performed elemental analysis on a series of dyes obtained from tattoo studios to determine if any dangerous materials were present. The composition of the dyes was determined using scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDS). This technique demonstrates bets the presence of elements of the sodium family and proves the presence of various metals. It provides no insight in chemical structures or bonds. RESULTS: Elemental analysis revealed multiple metallic components in the dyes; these materials may be responsible for persistent foreign body reactions even years after being placed in the skin. Silicon, aluminium, titanium and copper were found in various yellow, green and red dyes. The composition of various dyes of the same colour from different sources was highly variable. CONCLUSIONS: The tattoo dyes currently in use contain a number of components which cannot be regarded as "tissue inert". Chronic foreign body reactions can be expected even after many years.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1992

[Forum: dermopigmentation or medical tattooing. History of tattooing].

Tattooing has been performed all over the world since prehistoric times, as indicated by numerous ancient relics. The significance of tattoos has differed at times and in different civilisations (means of communication, social identification mark, religious origin). Today, it is performed by real artists who have inspired its medical applications. Medical dermopigmentation was initially used in the context of breast reconstruction (nipple areola complex) and, with subsequent refinements, its indications have been extended to the treatment of residual scars and to the permanent make-up.

Esthetics↗
PubMed2004

Reactional tattoo inoculation borderline tuberculoid leprosy with oedematous tattoos.

Tattoo inoculation borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy in upgrading reaction with prominent tattoo oedema developing after starting paucibacillary multidrug therapy (PB MDT) is reported. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. An excellent response to oral steroids and PB MDT was seen. There is only one similar report in the literature.

Adult↗