A Comprehensive Analysis of Tools and Technologies for Fine Line Tattooing

Aim: Tattoo pigments are deposited in the skin and known to distribute to regional lymph nodes. Tattoo pigments are small particles and may be hypothesized to reach the blood stream and become distributed to peripheral organs. This has not been studied in the past. The aim of the study was to trace tattoo pigments in internal organs in mice extensively tattooed with 2 different tattoo ink products. Material/Methods: Three groups of mice were studied, i.e., 10 tattooed black, 10 tattooed red, and 5 untreated controls. They were tattooed on the entire back with commercial tattoo inks, black and red. Mice were sacrificed after 1 year. Samples were isolated from tattooed skin, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, kidney, and lung. Samples were examined for deposits of tattoo pigments by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: TEM identified intracellular tattoo pigments in the skin and in lymph nodes. TEM in both groups of tattooed mice showed tattoo pigment deposits in the Kupffer cells in the liver, which is a new observation. TEM detected no pigment in other internal organs. Light microscopy showed dense pigment in the skin and in lymph nodes but not in internal organs. Conclusion: The study demonstrated black and red tattoo pigment deposits in the liver; thus, tattoo pigment distributed from the tattooed skin via the blood stream to this important organ of detoxification. The finding adds a new dimension to tattoo pigment distribution in the body, i.e., as observed via the blood in addition to the lymphatic pathway.

Treatment of a refractory allergic reaction to a red tattoo on the lips with methotrexate and Q-switched Nd-Yag laser

Starting out as a professional tattooist back in 1977 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Frank Rosenkilde has personally experienced the remarkable development of tattoo machines, needles and utilities: all the way from home-made equipment to industrial products of substantially improved quality. Machines can be constructed like the traditional dual-coil and single-coil machines or can be e-coil, rotary and hybrid machines, with the more convenient and precise rotary machines being the recent trend. This development has resulted in disposable needles and utilities. Newer machines are more easily kept clean and protected with foil to prevent crosscontaminations and infections. The machines and the tattooists' knowledge and awareness about prevention of infection have developed hand-in-hand. For decades, Frank Rosenkilde has been collecting tattoo machines. Part of his collection is presented here, supplemented by his personal notes.

Allergic reactions to metals and metal salts used in pigments for tattoos are surprisingly frequent. The objective of this study was to quantify the metal content of tattoo inks using the sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spec- trometry analysis (SF-ICP-MS). The inks were subjected to a robust microwave digestion in a mixture of nitric and fluoridric acids, and hydrogen-peroxide. A total of 13 tattoo inks including various colors, as black, blue, brown, green, red, violet, white and yellow, were examined for the content of Cd, Co, Cr, Hg and Ni. The limits of detection and quanti- fication were as follows (ng/ml): Cd, 0.02 and 0.07; Co, 0.06 and 0.20; Cr, 0.80 and 2.64; Hg, 0.50 and 1.65; and Ni, 0.40 and 1.32. The method was accurate reporting the following mean recoveries (%): Cd, 92; Co, 94; Cr, 96; Hg, 105; and Ni, 103. The precision of the method was calculated as intra-day (%) and inter-day repeatability (%) and results were: Cd, 2.09 and 5.20; Co, 1.58 and 2.67; Cr, 2.07 and 2.99; Hg, 3.88 and 4.55; and Ni, 4.05 and 5.11. All the tested metals were present in the tattoo pigments, but the relative contribution of elements to the tattoo ink compositions was highly variable between samples and even among like-colored pigments. The highest element was Cr in all the pigments (315-4720 ng/g) followed by Ni (37.5-2318 ng/g) and Cd (6.67-1150 ng/g); the lower elements were Co (2.78-125 ng/g) and Hg (<limit of quantification-179 ng/g). Since no rules regulate tattoo inks, this research can be a starting point for chemical safety as- sessment of commercial inks and for proposal of regulating legislation.

Tattoo inks contain varying amounts of metal nanoparticles (NPs) < 100 nm that, due to their unique physicochemical properties, may have specific biological uptake and cause skin or systemic toxicities. The toxic effects of certified reference standards of metal NPs and samples of commercially available tattoo inks were investigated using an in vitro system and a novel human ex vivo model. In vitro toxicity was evaluated using vitality assays on human skin cells (HaCaT cell line, primary fibroblasts, and keratinocytes). No toxicity was observed for Al2O3, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, and TiO2 NPs, whereas CuO NPs showed dose-dependent toxicity on HaCaT and primary fibroblasts. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes were also sensitive to high concentrations of ZnO NPs. Reference standards and ink samples were then injected ex vivo into human skin explants using tattoo needles. Histological analysis showed pigment distribution deep in the dermis and close to dermal vessels, suggesting possible systemic diffusion. The presence of an inflammatory infiltrate was also observed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased apoptosis and expression of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 in explants specifically tattooed with the reference standard or red ink. Taken together, the results suggest that the tattooing technique leads to exposure to toxic metal NPs and skin damage.

Aims: This study investigates the composition of tattoo pigments to ensure their safe application in tattoo art, evaluating the viability of UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, coupled with chemometrics, for predicting pigment contents in tattoo inks. Background: Analyzing pigments in tattoo inks poses challenges in maintaining quality. This study addresses the difficulties by proposing the use of UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, along with chemometrics, as potential solutions for effective monitoring. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the content of red (PR) 170/254 and pigment blue (PB) 15:3 in tattoo inks from diverse suppliers and examine the distinct chemical structures and existing impurities in the samples using UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, employing regression models for data analysis. Method: We collected UV-Vis and FT-IR spectra from the tattoo ink samples and utilized regression models for data analysis. We assessed correlations across spectrum areas, emphasizing coefficients of determination for cross-validation. Subsequently, we compared the results obtained from both spectroscopic methods in terms of pigment identity and evaluated the suitability of UV-Vis spectroscopy for analyzing changes in pigment concentration and structural evolution. Finally, we employed chemometric modeling to enhance predictions of FT-IR parameters, particularly in the functional group and fingerprint region of the spectra. Results: Significant correlations were observed across both UV-Vis and FT-IR spectrum areas, with coefficients of determination for cross-validation exceeding 0.7 for most parameters. Both spectroscopic methods yielded nearly identical results regarding pigment identity. UV-Vis spectroscopy proved to be a suitable method for analyzing changes in pigment concentration and structural evolution. Chemometric modeling enhanced predictions of FT-IR parameters, particularly in the functional group and fingerprint region of the spectra. Conclusion: The study underscores the significance of utilizing UV-Vis and FT-IR wavelengths from various suppliers to determine pigment structures in tattoo inks. The consistent and comparable results from both spectroscopic methods highlight their efficacy in characterizing pigments. UV-Vis spectroscopy, in particular, emerged as a valuable tool for assessing changes in pigment concentration and structural evolution. The improved predictions through chemometric modeling further emphasize the utility of these analytical approaches in ensuring the safe use of tattoo inks in the art of tattooing.

Instrumented Rotary Tablet Machines II: Evaluation and Typical Applications in Pharmaceutical Research, Development, and Production Studies

Tattoos have been a part of the culture and a way of expression for a remarkable portion of society throughout history. However, different dissatisfactions related to tattoos lead people to tattoo removal procedures that can be carried out in various ways. Among them, laser tattoo removal is the most common technique. However, laser tattoo removal could have downsides; thus, novel technologies that either support or replace conventional methods are needed. In the present study, the degradation of red, yellow, green, blue, black and white tattoo inks by plasma treatment was evaluated for possible future use of cold plasma in tattoo removal. Tattoo inks were treated with DBD air plasma in the aqueous form and in the agarose gel. Furthermore, also tattoo pigments were exposed to plasma-treated water. The Kl-starch reagent was used to correlate the oxidative strength of plasma-treated water with the degradation of tattoo inks. Degradation of tattoo inks was determined by reflectance measurements and was measured as color change with respect to plasma treatment time. Color changes of tattoo inks were represented using the CIELAB color system and CIE xyY color space. Our results suggest that air DBD plasma treatment and plasma-treated water are capable of degrading tattoo inks. The color change of tattoo inks due to degradation by plasma was clearly distinguishable by the naked eye, and the maximum value corresponding to color change was measured for red tattoo ink.

The topic of this paper is to investigate the achievable performance of the Line-Start Synchronous Reluctance Machine (LSSRM) designed by replacing the rotor of a conventional induction machine. The selected induction machine for the rotor replacement is a general purpose lowpower induction machine. The rotor of this machine is replaced by a rotor of LSSRM. Consequently, the optimization scenario is defined in a way that only the rotor parameters are modified. Objectives are efficiency, power factor and torque ripple of the machine. To reduce production cost, skewing of the stator and rotor is not considered. The optimal geometry of the LSSRM rotor is found by applying an evolutionary algorithm. The considered LSSRM features a rotor were flux barriers and cage bars are located in separate zones. The results of the optimization together with electromagnetic analysis for optimal design are illustrated. The presented approach, which can be adopted for any design of LSSRM, is demonstrating the achievable performance facilitated by simple replacement of the induction machine rotor.

Introduction: The new EU regulation on tattoo inks in force January 2022 in a hitherto unregulated market marks a historical change. The study aim was to register tattoo inks de facto used in studios before the new EU regulation and establish a historical reference to tattoo customer exposure, ink toxicology assessment, clinical complications, and the impact on tattooing businesses. Method: A tattooist-operated electronic system (InkBase) for ink registration required by law is used in Denmark since 2018. A local database in studios refers to a central database. Clients, sessions, ink bottles, brand name, and pigment color index (CI) are registered. Person’s data protection is respected. Tracing harmful inks is possible, with public warning. Results: Registrations from 108 studios employing about 700 tattooists were collected from March 2018 to 2019. 39,687 clients were tattooed in 50,604 sessions, using colors from 109,720 ink bottles. 10,833 were CI-labelled identifying the pigment. 98.1% of inks originated from USA. Detailed statistics on inks and pigments used are provided as a benchmark showing the spontaneous use and preference of “old” tattoo inks before the EU regulation compulsory to member states introduced dramatic restrictions difficult to follow. Conclusions: Denmark can, having detailed ink registration enforced by law and having a commonly used electronic registration system reporting to a central server, function as an index country in future surveillance of use of tattoo inks in studios, toxicology aspects and the impact of regulatory intervention on the tattooing industry, with a large sample of data collected in 2018-2019.

Tattoo colourants are colourful nano- and microparticles, which are practically insoluble and thus permanent once installed in the dermis by the tattooist. Tattoo ink also has soluble ingredients and contaminants. Pigments can distribute via the lymph and possibly also directly to the blood, and a minute fraction may over time undergo metabolic breakdown and as hapten(s) induce allergic reactions of red tattoos. Carbon black of black tattoos has a tendency to agglomerate and form larger bodies that can elicit foreign body reactions in black tattoos and even granuloma formation with overlap to sarcoidosis in the clinic. Very little is known about the biokinetics and safety profile of the many tattoo pigments in use, and no specific pigment-related chemical of tattoo ink causing identified adverse reactions in humans has been depicted. Inks have many ingredients and contaminants. Insoluble and soluble ingredients of inks supposedly have very different characteristics of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, with pigments being extremely slowly excreted, contrasting soluble ingredients with fast elimination. Tattoos are a single-dose exposure. Controlling the safety of tattoo inks by banning potentially critical chemicals hitherto has been unsuccessful due to lacking documentation of clinical and epidemiological relevance and because the tattoo industry is already internationally established, free, and in the ownership of the people. Doctors treating patients with tattoo complications consequently have a key role in identifying risk situations and local outbreaks, which needs clarification, therapy, and the intervention of authorities. In the treatment of complications, as seen in general practice and in other specialties, basic insight into the fate of tattoo pigments in the body is necessary. Tattoo complications are complicated and facetted with many entities and disease mechanisms; they are a new subspecialty in medicine and dermatology.

Tattoo pigment can precipitate numerous inflammatory states, and granulomatous tattoo reactions are a diagnostically challenging form. The skin is the most common site of inflammation, but systemic inflammation can occur. Reactions to black tattoo ink have a broad differential of cutaneous and systemic conditions. Sarcoidosis is an important consideration because it is unclear whether it is a separate entity. Here we present a 31-year-old male who developed an inflammatory eruption where he had black tattoos. He also developed circular patches of scalp alopecia, monocular uveitis, and an enlarged axillary lymph node, initially thought to represent lymphoma. Tissue biopsy of the skin and lymph node revealed findings consistent with granulomatous tattoo reaction. Investigations for other diagnoses, including sarcoidosis, were negative. He was treated with systemic corticosteroids and then with topical corticosteroids and oral hydroxychloroquine. This case report demonstrates the diagnostic challenge associated with granulomatous tattoo ink reactions. Further studies are needed to improve characterization and management of this condition.

The phasor diagram of the hybrid rotor machine is given in dq frame, according to the phasor diagram, the voltage equations are obtained. Compared the ALA rotor machine, the SPM rotor machine with the hybrid rotor machine starting performances by solving their state-steady equations, results show that the starting performances of the hybrid rotor machine are better than the pure ALA rotor machine, the bigger L <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dr</sub> is not better, the inertial constant, L <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">p</sub> and L <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">qr</sub> should be small as possible, the reasonable k and α can improved the comprehensive performance of the hybrid rotor machine.

Mobility-resolved broadband dissociation and parallel reaction monitoring for laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry - Tattoo pigment identification supported by trapped ion mobility spectrometry

Millions of people are tattooed with inks that contain azo pigments. The pigments contained in tattoo inks are manufactured for other uses with no established history of safe use in humans and are injected into the skin at high densities (2.5 mg/cm(2)). Tattoo pigments disseminate after tattooing throughout the human body and although some may photodecompose at the injection site by solar or laser light exposure, the extent of transport or photodecomposition under in vivo conditions remains currently unknown. We investigated the transport and photodecomposition of the widely used tattoo Pigment Red 22 (PR 22) following tattooing into SKH-1 mice. The pigment was extracted quantitatively at different times after tattooing. One day after tattooing, the pigment concentration was 186 microg/cm(2) skin. After 42 days, the amount of PR 22 in the skin has decreased by about 32% of the initial value. Exposure of the tattooed skin, 42 days after tattooing, to laser light reduced the amount of PR 22 by about 51% as compared to skin not exposed to laser light. A part of this reduction is as a result of photodecomposition of PR 22 as shown by the detection of corresponding hazardous aromatic amines. Irradiation with solar radiation simulator for 32 days caused a pigment reduction of about 60% and we again assume pigment decomposition in the skin. This study is the first quantitative estimate of the amount of tattoo pigments transported from the skin into the body or decomposed by solar or laser radiation.