Biodistribution of iron oxide tattoo pigment: An experimental murine study.

Tattoo pigment is expected to migrate beyond the skin to regional lymph nodes and the liver. Modern tattoo ink commonly contains metals that may pose a clinical problem during MRI examinations. This study aimed to investigate the biodistribution of iron oxide pigment to internal organs in mice. Moreover, when exposed to a static magnetic field, we studied whether any reactions followed in the tattooed skin. Twenty-seven hairless C3.Cg-Hrhr/TifBomTac mice were included; 20 were tattooed with iron oxide ink in a rectangular 3 cm2 pattern; seven were controls. Ten of the tattooed mice were exposed to a 3 T MRI scanner's static magnetic field. Following euthanasia, evaluations of dissected organs involved MRI T2*-mapping, light microscopy (LM) and metal analysis. T2*-mapping measures the relaxation times of hydrogen nuclei in water and fat, which may be affected by neighbouring ferrimagnetic particles, thus enabling the detection of iron oxide particles in organs. Elemental analysis detected a significant level of metals in the tattooed skin compared to controls, but no skin reactions occurred when exposed to a 3 T static magnetic field. No disparity was observed in the liver samples with metal analysis. T2* mapping found no significant difference between the two groups. Only minute clusters of pigment particles were observed in the liver by LM. Our results demonstrate a minimal systemic distribution of the iron oxide pigments to the liver, whereas the kidney and brain were unaffected. The static magnetic field did not trigger skin reactions in magnetic tattoos but may induce image artefacts during MRI.

Winston Churchill's Mother and the Inked Operator: Health Risks and Biokinetics of Tattoo Inks.

Tattooing is an ancient art form widely practiced among Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel. The ink injected into skin tissue during tattooing often contains various compounds, including impurities and contaminants, which can pose health risks. This article provides an overview of recent research to inform SOF medical personnel about the potential health implications of both new and older tattoos.

Safety and efficacy of autologous blood tattooing for preoperative colonic localization: a comparative study with conventional India ink tattooing.

BACKGROUND: India ink has been a popular choice for a tattooing agent in preoperative endoscopic localization but often results in unfavorable effects. Subsequently, autologous blood tattooing has arisen as an alternative option. Due to the limited availability of comparative studies on the matter, we conducted a study to compare the perioperative outcomes associated with India ink tattooing versus autologous blood tattooing. METHODS: A total of 96 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgical procedures for left-sided colonic neoplasm following preoperative endoscopic localization were included in the study. These patients were categorized into two groups: 36 patients who received India ink tattooing and 60 patients who underwent autologous blood tattooing. The perioperative outcomes including procedure-related outcomes and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in visibility and spillage of tattooing agent between India ink group and autologous blood group. However, India ink group showed a higher incidence of post-tattooing fever, higher level of postoperative C-reactive protein level, longer time to first flatus, resumption of surgical soft diet, and duration of hospital stay, and a higher occurrence of postoperative complications including ileus and surgical site infection compared with the autologous blood group. In the multivariate analysis, India ink tattooing was significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. In the subgroup analysis involving patients with intraperitoneal spillage, the autologous blood group demonstrated significantly favorable perioperative outcomes compared with India ink group. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous blood tattooing demonstrated comparable visibility and enhanced safety, establishing it as a potential alternative to India ink for preoperative endoscopic localization.

Novel endoscopic tattooing dye based on polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified polydopamine nanoparticles for labeling gastrointestinal lesions.

Endoscopic tattooing is a localization technique that is particularly important for identifying gastrointestinal lesions for follow-up and subsequent treatment. However, the dyes currently used for endoscopic tattooing have a short tattooing time, high cost, and many side effects. Herein, we designed and prepared polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for endoscopic tattooing using a physical encapsulation method. PDA has good stability and high adhesion properties, and its stability was further enhanced after PVP modification. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated that PDA/PVP has good biosafety. Endoscopic tattooing with PDA/PVP in a porcine model showed that the dye could be stabilized in the digestive tract for at least 60 days. Furthermore, our research results demonstrated that PDA/PVP has excellent reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging ability and can promote wound healing. Overall, the strategy proposed herein will lead to the use of an innovative dye for endoscopic tattooing of gastrointestinal lesions.

Medical tattooing as a complementary cosmetic intervention to reduce body-image distress and mental health symptoms in U.S. breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: A review of the literature revealed a high incidence of body-image distress among breast cancer survivors who had surgery. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between medical tattooing as a complementary cosmetic intervention and body-image distress and mental health outcomes among breast cancer survivors following surgery. METHODS: We examined 330 post-surgical breast cancer survivors collected through a nationwide online survey in the U.S., pursuing two main objectives. First, we investigated body-image distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress in survivors who underwent breast cancer surgery, comparing those with medical tattooing (n = 89) and those without (n = 226). Second, we assessed the influence of the participant's surgery type on body-image distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress. Additionally, we evaluated whether individual factors, such as appearance investment, satisfaction with decision, and cosmetic expectation discrepancy, predicted the participant's body-image distress. RESULTS: Findings suggest that participants with medical tattoos reported significantly lower body-image distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress compared to those without medical tattoos. The participant's surgery type did not significantly predict body-image distress, depression or anxiety symptoms, or perceived stress. However, participants who reported greater appearance investment endorsed higher body-image distress. Participants who reported higher satisfaction with their treatment decisions and lower cosmetic expectation discrepancy endorsed lower body-image distress. CONCLUSION: Medical tattooing may be a valuable tool in improving body-image distress and mental health for those who wish to pursue it, but more research is needed. Empirical studies supporting the mental health benefits of medical tattooing among survivors are crucial to standardize insurance coverage and promote its inclusion as a complementary intervention across insurance providers nationwide. This complementary intervention should be considered using a patient-centered approach that aligns with the patient's values and preferences.

Removal of black tattoos by Picosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in the middle eastern skin type IV: prospective study.

Tattoo removal is considered a challenging field in cosmetic dermatology. Picosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG lasers targeting unique chromophores effectively manage this condition without serious complications. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Picosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in the treatment of black tattoos in the skin of middle eastern mostly skin type IV. The study was carried out on 20 patients with skin type IV the most common in middle eastern area with professional black tattoos. They were treated by Picosecond Nd-YAG laser (2 sessions 8 weeks apart). The percentage of improvement ranged from 20.0 to 95.0 (with a mean of 61 ± 24.6). 8 patients (40%) showed excellent improvement, 4 patients (20%) showed marked improvement, 4 patients (20%) showed moderate improvement, and 4 patients (20%) showed mild improvement. No severe side effects were detected. Picosecond Nd-YAG laser was an effective and safe technique in the treatment of professional black tattoos; with only 2 sessions most patients reached excellent to moderate response with minimal side effects.

Detection of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria from commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks.

Tattooing and use of permanent makeup (PMU) have dramatically increased over the last decade, with a concomitant increase in ink-related infections. Studies have shown evidence that commercial tattoo and PMU inks are frequently contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Considering that tattoo inks are placed into the dermal layer of the skin where anaerobic bacteria can thrive and cause infections in low-oxygen environments, the prevalence of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria should be assessed in tattoo and PMU inks. In this study, we tested 75 tattoo and PMU inks using the analytical methods described in the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 23 for the detection of both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial contamination, followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial identification. Of 75 ink samples, we found 26 contaminated samples with 34 bacterial isolates taxonomically classified into 14 genera and 22 species. Among the 34 bacterial isolates, 19 were identified as possibly pathogenic bacterial strains. Two species, namely Cutibacterium acnes (four strains) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (two strains) were isolated under anaerobic conditions. Two possibly pathogenic bacterial strains, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and C. acnes, were isolated together from the same ink samples (n = 2), indicating that tattoo and PMU inks can contain both aerobic (S. saprophyticus) and anaerobic bacteria (C. acnes). No significant association was found between sterility claims on the ink label and the absence of bacterial contamination. The results indicate that tattoo and PMU inks can also contain anaerobic bacteria. IMPORTANCE: The rising popularity of tattooing and permanent makeup (PMU) has led to increased reports of ink-related infections. This study is the first to investigate the presence of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo and PMU inks under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Our findings reveal that unopened and sealed tattoo inks can harbor anaerobic bacteria, known to thrive in low-oxygen environments, such as the dermal layer of the skin, alongside aerobic bacteria. This suggests that contaminated tattoo inks could be a source of infection from both types of bacteria. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring these products for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including possibly pathogenic microorganisms.

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine.

Animal models expand the scope of biomedical research, furthering our understanding of developmental, molecular, and cellular biology and enabling researchers to model human disease. Recording and tracking individual animals allows researchers to reduce the number of animals required for study and refine practices to improve animal wellbeing. Several well-documented methods exist for marking and tracking mammals, including ear punching and ear tags. However, methods for marking aquatic amphibian species are limited, with the existing resources being outdated, ineffective, or prohibitively costly. In this manuscript, we outline methods and best practices for marking Xenopus laevis with a rotary tattoo machine. Proper tattooing results in high-quality tattoos, making individuals easily distinguishable for researchers and posing minimal risk to animals' health. We also highlight the causes of poor-quality tattoos, which can result in tattoos that fade quickly and cause unnecessary harm to animals. This approach allows researchers and veterinarians to mark amphibians, enabling them to track biological replicates and transgenic lines and to keep accurate records of animal health.

Assessing the readability and quality of online patient information for laser tattooremoval.

Just as tattoos continue to increase in popularity, many people with tattoos also seek removal, often due to career concerns. Prospective clients interested in laser tattoo removal may do research about the procedure online, as the internet increasingly becomes a resource to get preliminary health information. However, it is important that the online health information on the topic be of high quality and be accessible to all patients. We analyzed 77 websites from a Google search query using the terms "Laser tattoo removal patient Information" and "Laser tattoo removal patient Instructions" to assess this. The websites were evaluated for their readability using multiple validated indices and comprehensiveness. We found that websites had a broad readability range, from elementary to college, though most were above the recommended eighth-grade reading level. Less than half of the websites adequately discussed the increased risk of pigmentary complications in the skin of color clients or emphasized the importance of consulting with a board-certified dermatologist/plastic surgeon before the procedure. Over 90% of the websites noted that multiple laser treatments are likely needed for complete clearance of tattoos. The findings from our study underscore a significant gap in the accessibility and quality of online information for patients considering laser tattoo removal, particularly in addressing specific risks for patients with darker skin tones and emphasizing the need for consulting a board-certified physician before undergoing the procedure. It is important that online resources for laser tattoo removal be appropriately written to allow better decision-making, expectations, and future satisfaction for potential clients interested in the procedure.

Optimization and standardization of procedures in Forensic Identification: A methodology for description and coding of tattoos in Mexico.

Tattoos serve as a valuable tool for identification. In the forensic context, it is vital to establish a systematic approach for documenting tattoo-related information to facilitate efficient and fast comparisons, especially in postmortem cases. Despite some countries failing to recognize the potential significance of tattoos, this study presents a methodological framework for gathering comprehensive data on this form of body modification. This article presents the results of an investigation made in Mexico during 2019-2022. The proposed methodology introduces a systematic and distinct classification system tailored to the country in which it will be implemented. The proposal is accompanied by applying the methodology in a Forensic Medical Service (SEMEFO) in Mexico for a week to test its effectiveness and speed under high workloads and stressful conditions. The novelty of this article lies in emphasizing the need for established, replicable, and homologous methodologies for tattoo codification. Additionally, it presents a more in-depth codification, where the details of the tattoos to be classified are thoroughly analyzed.

Art on the skin, lifesaving within: Exploring the role of tattoo artists in suicide prevention.

Different populations experience suicide at different rates. Some studies have found an increased risk of suicide among individuals with tattoos. Studies indicate a higher prevalence of mental health disorders among individuals with one or more tattoos. These findings signal a need to explore suicide prevention in tattoo shops. The aim of this project is to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and interest of providing education on suicide prevention among tattoo artists. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with tattoo artists. Survey items assessed artists' experiences with clients expressing mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, their comfort level assisting clients, and general perceptions around suicide and stigma. Seventy-nine surveys were collected. Most artists reported that they have had at least one situation in which a client mentioned something that made them concerned about that client's mental health. Most respondents reported that a client has expressed suicidal thoughts to them at least once. Our study demonstrated that tattoo artists encounter clients who express mental health challenges as well as suicidal ideation, underscoring the potential role for tattoo artists in supporting individuals at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Permanent makeup: A review of its technique, regulation, and complications.

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a popular form of tattooing used to replace or enhance the use of daily makeup. The purpose of this literature review is to provide an overview of PMU, with a particular focus on its use, regulation, and potential complications reported in the literature. In the United States, there is significant variation in the regulation and training required to perform PMU. Adverse outcomes of PMU include infectious, allergic, and inflammatory complications. These complications may be more common if proper hygiene and aftercare practices are not followed. Cosmetically, PMU may shift or have an altered appearance if the underlying skin is treated with cosmetic fillers or local anesthetics. Given the popularity of PMU and its cosmetic uses, dermatologists should be aware of the PMU industry, potential complications, and how best to manage complications.

Identification of the pigments used in permanent makeup and their ability to elicit allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Decorative tattoos are known to contain ingredients that may elicit allergic contact dermatitis; it is less well-known if permanent makeup pigments carry the same risk. OBJECTIVE: Identify pigments used in permanent makeup inks sold in the United States and review cases of allergic contact dermatitis to these pigments. METHODS: Using internet searches, permanent makeup inks sold in the United States were identified. Safety data sheets were used to catalog pigments used in permanent makeup. A subsequent literature search was performed to identify cases of allergic contact dermatitis to these pigments. RESULTS: A total of 974 permanent makeup inks were reviewed, and 79 unique pigments were identified. The average product contained 4 pigments. Twenty of the pigments were inorganic metals, including carbon, iron, chromium, manganese, and molybdenum. Fifty-nine pigments were organic, of which most were azo, quinacridone, or anthraquinone dyes. A literature search revealed that 10 of the 79 pigments were associated with allergic contact dermatitis. CONCLUSION: Permanent makeup primarily uses organic pigments, although some metallic pigments are still used. Physicians should also be aware that some of these pigments-both organic and inorganic-are known causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Of note, patch testing to these ingredients can be negative.