Micropigmentation Research Articles

A case of sarcoidal foreign body reaction to permanent makeup: the involvement of M2 macrophages

A case of sarcoidal foreign body reaction to permanent makeup: the involvement of M2 macrophages

Why Permanent Makeup (PMU) Is Not a Lifetime Application

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a popular form of tattooing applied to the eyebrows, eyelids, and lips for corrective and aesthetic purposes. It also has medical applications, such as reconstructing the breast areola, mimicking hair follicles on the head, and covering scars and vitiligo. Unlike body tattoos, PMU often requires reapplication to maintain color density and shape, as the pigments fade over time. This fading is likely due to the characteristics of PMU colorants rather than the application methods or apparatuses. The aim of our study was to assess the application depth of PMU colorants and tattoo ink after procedures. PMU colorants typically contain larger pigment particles in their composition compared to the nanoparticles found in traditional tattoo inks. We applied both tattoo ink and PMU colorants on SKH-1 mice using a PMU apparatus and a tattoo apparatus. To clarify the semi-permanent nature of PMU compared to the more permanent body tattoos, skin biopsies were performed at various intervals throughout this study. The results showed that PMU and tattoo ink were placed at approximately the same depth but exhibited key differences in behavior. PMU with larger inorganic pigments fades over time, while tattoos with smaller, stable organic pigments ensure permanence.

Allergic contact dermatitis in the beauty industry

Allergic contact dermatitis in the beauty industry is a common and growing problem in dermatology, due to both the annual increase in the popularity of existing beauty services and the emergence of new fashion trends. Cosmetic products in hairdressing, manicure, permanent makeup, eyelash extensions, tattooing and piercing contain a number of potent haptens, sensitization to which results in a classic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. The development of contact allergic reactions is important not only for consumers of these services, but also for hairdressers and beauty salon technicians themselves. Thus, hairdressers take first place in the incidence statistics of occupational contact dermatitis associated with allergens and haptens in hair dyes, products for bleaching, curling or straightening hair. In 65% of cases, allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates develops among manicurists within the first years of work. The basis of treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is external therapy using topical glucocorticosteroids. The article contains Russian and foreign literature data about the most common allergens in products used in hairdressing, permanent tattooing, eyelash extensions, manicure and piercing, on the prevalence and characteristics of allergic contact dermatitis in these areas of the beauty industry and our own clinical observations of the effectiveness of treatment of allergic contact dermatitis using Comfoderm K cream (methylprednisolone aceponate with ceramides in the base).

Keyword Network Analysis of Research Trends in Makeup

Purpose: This study aims to identify research on makeup-related topics from the past decade using keyword network analysis.Methods: This study used keyword network analysis to extract data from the Korea Citation Index journal database of the National Research Foundation of Korea. A total of 585 papers related to makeup, published between 2013 and 2022, were used for the analysis.Results: An examination of the frequency of makeup-related keywords indicated that “image” displayed the highest frequency, followed by “art makeup,” “design,” “cosmetics,” “color,” and “semi-permanent makeup.” The study then classified the year of publication into the first (2013–2017) and second (2018–2022) periods. The terms “image,” “color,” “design,” and “art makeup” and “cosmetics,” “image,” “art makeup,” “design,” and “semi-permanent makeup” were studied in these orders during the first and second periods, respectively. Third, the study explored the properties of keywords using centrality analysis. The results indicated that the keyword with the most interaction with other keywords is “image,” whereas “design” and “art makeup” are keywords with a high centrality of connection with other keywords used in makeup-related research. Thus, the result implies that this topic is important.Conclusion: Research related to makeup is being conducted on various topics, including image, cosmetics, color, art, behavior, service, and education. However, convergence research, such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and artificial intelligence (AI), is being conducted, and keywords related to this are expected to appear in several cases in the future.

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

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.

Revision for unsatisfactory outcomes of scalp micropigmentation.

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is becoming increasingly popular. Accordingly, complications of the procedure are on the rise. However, the results of improperly performed SMP are exceedingly challenging to rectify and ultimately lead to severe mental stress and feelings of inferiority in patients. This retrospective study aimed to explore various aspects of unsatisfactory SMP outcomes and examine corrective measures available after the procedure. A total of 120 patients who underwent corrective surgery or procedures due to unsatisfactory outcomes after SMP were enrolled in the study. Their photographs and medical charts were reviewed retrospectively. Out of 120 participants, 76 were women and 43 men. In total, 107 patients (89.2%) had been treated at a tattooing or cosmetic facility at a beauty salon performing permanent makeup, 12 (10.0%) at another clinic, and one (0.8%) at an oriental medicine clinic. Of 120 patients, hair transplant surgery was performed on 74 patients (61.7%). Twenty-five (20.8%) underwent both hair transplant surgery and complementary SMP. Sixteen (13.3%) patients received laser tattoo removal and underwent SMP anew. Five patients (4.2%) had a previous tattoo removed without additional treatment. Patients' subjective satisfaction scores averaged 4.5/5. The physician's objective satisfaction score was 4.6/5. In cases where SMP is inadequately performed, satisfactory results can be achieved through appropriate revisions, such as tattoo removal, repeated SMP, or hair transplant surgery to conceal the tattoo by highly experienced medical professionals. IV.

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

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. Identify pigments used in permanent makeup inks sold in the United States and review cases of allergic contact dermatitis to these pigments. 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. 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. 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.

Characterization of banned colorants in cosmetics: A tandem mass-based molecular networking approach

Colorants have been a staple in the cosmetics industry for a considerable time, although certain varieties have been banned owing to health risks. Detecting and confirming these banned colorants simultaneously poses several challenges when employing LC–MS/MS. Molecular networking is a promising analytical technology that can be used to predict the structure of components and the correlation between them using structural and MS/MS spectral similarities. Molecular networking entails assessing the number of fragmented ions and the cosine score (the closer it is to one, the higher the similarity). In this study, we developed and verified a method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of the 26 banned colorants in cosmetics using LC–MS/MS. Additionally, we propose a novel approach that combines LC–Q–TOF–MS and molecular networking technology to detect banned colorants in cosmetics. For successful molecular networking, a minimum of six fragment ions with cosine scores exceeding 0.5 is required. We developed a screening method for characterizing banned colorants using molecular networking based on LC–TOF–MS results for 26 banned colorants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our established method can be used for screening by analyzing actual cosmetics (eyebrow tattoo, lipstick tattoo, and hair tint) spiked with three non-targeted banned colorants with similar structures (m/z 267.116, 315.149, and 345.157) in cosmetics. The combination of molecular networking techniques and LC–MS/MS proves highly advantageous for the swift characterization and screening of non-targeted colorants in cosmetics.

Intradermal Naked DNA Vaccination by DNA Tattooing for Mounting Tumor-Specific Immunity in Stage IV Melanoma Patients: A Phase I Clinical Trial

Introduction: Naked DNA vaccination could be a powerful and safe strategy to mount antigen-specific cellular immunity. We designed a phase I clinical trial to investigate the toxicity of naked DNA vaccines encoding CD8+ T-cell epitope from tumor-associated antigen MART-1 in patients with advanced melanoma. Methods: This dose escalating phase Ia clinical trial investigates the toxicity and immunological response upon naked DNA vaccines encoding a CD8+ T-cell epitope from the tumor-associated antigen MART-1, genetically linked to the gene encoding domain 1 of subunit-tetanus toxin fragment C in patients with advanced melanoma (inoperable stage IIIC-IV, AJCC 7th edition). The vaccine was administrated via intradermal application using a permanent make-up or tattoo device. Safety was monitored according to CTCAE v.3.0 and skin biopsies and blood samples were obtained for immunologic monitoring. Results: Nine pretreated, HLA-A*0201-positive patients with advanced melanoma expressing MART-1 and MHC class I, with a good performance status, and adequate organ function, were included. With a median follow-up of 5.9 months, DNA vaccination was safe, without treatment-related deaths. Common treatment-emergent adverse events of any grade were dermatologic reactions at the vaccination site (100%) and pain (56%). One patient experienced grade 4 toxicity, most likely related to tumor progression. One patient (11%) achieved stable disease, lasting 353 days. Immune analysis showed no increase in vaccine-induced T cell response in peripheral blood of 5 patients, but did show a MART-1 specific CD8+ T cell response at the tattoo administration site. The maximum dose administered was 2 mg due to lack of clinical activity. Conclusion: We showed that the developed DNA vaccine, applied using a novel intradermal application strategy, can be administered safely. Further research with improved vaccine formats is required to show possible clinical benefit of DNA vaccination.

Permanent Makeup (PMU) Removal with Plant Origin Extracts

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a popular application for the correction of face and body imperfections. It can be applied over the facial area to correct the shape and color of eyebrows, to the eyelids to create permanent eyeliner shapes, and the lips to create permanent lipliner and lip shading features. Furthermore, its “medical” use on the scalp and men’s facial hair area to camouflage hair follicles and to cover hairless areas makes it popular for hair transplants. No matter how useful these procedures are, there are always mistakes and the factor of bad application which raises the number of patients who want to “remove” it or “correct” it on their face or body. In order to find a non-laser solution for PMU removal, we investigated the decolorization capacity of common plants and plant origin extracts on mouse models. Two methods were used for PMU decolorization. The first one included the use of traditional tattooing with needles combined with plant origin extracts applied over the tattooed area. The second one included the use of electroporation technology application with the combination of plant origin materials to remove the PMU colorants over the tattooed area. In both cases, the permanent makeup colorants for eyebrows, eyeliners, and lipliners were applied in vivo.

Generation MZ Beauty Care Behavior on Semi-Permanent Makeup Purchase Intention

Recently, generation MZ has emerged as a primary consumption group. Under these circumstances, this study attempted to investigate the influence of generation MZ beauty care behavior on semi-permanent makeup purchase intention against men and women born in 1980-2005, living in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, Daejeon, Sejong, Chungcheongbuk-do and other regions, and the results found the followings: With regard to differences by generation, generation M was higher in general beauty care behavior (<i>p</i><.05), makeup behavior (<i>p</i><.001) and body shaping behavior (<i>p</i><.001) while generation Z was higher in skin care behavior (<i>p</i><.05). When analyzed by occupation, ‘services/sales’ was high in hair care behavior (<i>p</i><.001), skin care behavior (<i>p</i><.001), makeup behavior (<i>p</i><.001) and general beauty care behavior (<i>p</i><.001) while ‘profession’ was the highest in body shaping behavior (<i>p</i><.001). In terms of beauty care behavior by semi-permanent makeup experience, it was higher in all categories when the respondents had semi-permanent makeup before. In terms of the effects of beauty care behavior on semi-permanent makeup purchase intention, makeup behavior was the greatest, followed by hair care behavior, nail care behavior and body shaping behavior, showing positive effects with statistical significance. The above results show that generation MZ beauty care behavior is closely related with semi-permanent makeup purchase intention. Therefore, it is anticipated that the study results would be available as basic data for marketing in semi-permanent makeup markets and make a contribution to the growth of customer-oriented beauty industry.

Permanent Make Up-PMU Colorants and Regulations

Decorative tattoos is a popular way of expression in young people. Permanent Make Up (PMU), is gaining ground every day for facial characteristics correction. Colorants used for PMU applications dot not always follow the regula- tions of the European legislation and may contain harmful ingredients for the health. European countries are trying to create a common regulation followed by each country member to protect public health.

Interventional and device treatment of the periocular area

Growth in the research, innovation, and development of laser and energy-based technologies over the past few decades has led to dramatic increases in treatment options for dermatologic and cosmetic concerns of the periorbital area. We highlight recent treatment options using laser and energy-based devices for the clearance of periocular pigmented lesions, including solar lentigines and nevus of Ota; vascular lesions, including port-wine birthmarks, infantile hemangiomas, superficial telangiectasias, and reticular veins; laser ablation of benign tumors, such as xanthelasma; cosmetic rejuvenation; treatment of infraorbital dark circles and festoons; laser removal of eyebrow and eyeliner tattoos; and device-based treatment of chronic dry eyes.

Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Associated with Tattoos and Permanent Makeup Pigments.

Tattooing is the procedure of implanting permanent pigment granules and additives into the dermal layer of the skin, serving various purposes such as decoration, medical identification, or accidental markings. There has been a significant rise in the popularity of decorative tattooing as a form of body art among both teenagers and young adults. Thus, the incidence of tattoos is increasing, with expanding applications such as permanent makeup, scar camouflage, nipple-areola, lips, and eyebrows tattooing, and utilization in oncological radiotherapy such as colon marking. However, there have been reported a broad range of adverse reactions linked to tattooing, encompassing allergic reactions, superficial and deep cutaneous infections, autoimmune disorders induced by the Koebner phenomenon, cutaneous tumors, and others. These reactions exhibit different onset times for symptoms, ranging from immediate manifestations after tattoo application to symptoms emerging several years later. Given the limited information on a tattoo's side effects, this review aims to elucidate the clinical spectrum of cutaneous complications of tattoos in different patients. The analysis will investigate both allergic and nonallergic clinical presentations of tattoo-related side effects, microscopic findings from skin biopsies, and therapeutic outcomes. This exploration is essential to improve our understanding of tattoo-related cutaneous complications and associated differential diagnoses and highlight the significance of patient awareness regarding potential risks before getting a tattoo.

The Impact of Semi-permanent Makeup Services on Customer Satisfaction and Intent to Recommend to Others

Semi-permanent makeup has become increasingly popular in Korea, driven by changing beauty standards and the desire for convenience. Although there is growing information about the semi-permanent makeup in terms of industry, little is known about factors which may influence customer satisfaction and recommendation to others. The aim of this inquiry was to determine the factors to influence the satisfaction and intention to recommendation of customers as received by semi-permanent makeup services. A questionaire was used to survey persons with 174 customers in years 20s and 40s across Korea. These individuals were then requested to complete a questionnaire which asked them to state for satisfaction. As a result, we found that the artist's technique and the hygiene and environmental factors which surrounding the service shop are influencing factors relative to customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is also reflected through various interactions with customers. These results showed that customer satisfaction had a positive effect on the intention to recommend semi-permanent makeup. Additionally, we also verified various factors that constitute semi-permanent makeup services to assess their complete or partial impact on customer satisfaction and likelihood of recommendation. As with any beauty service, success in the semi-permanent makeup industry relies on skill, professionalism, and a commitment to client satisfaction. Such information might be considered when opening a store and devising a business strategy. These findings also serve as the foundation for generating hypotheses in future analytical investigations.

Pemahaman Hadis Tentang Mencukur Alis (studi Analisis Hadis Dalam Kitab Sunan An-Nasa’i)

This study aims to discuss eyebrow embroidery in the perspective of hadith. This research is a qualitative type by applying literature study. The results and discussion of this study include an overview of eyebrow embroidery, a review of the hadith about namaṣ (shaving or plucking the eyebrows) and the relevance of the hadiths about shaving the eyebrows in relation to today's concrete reality. This study concluded that shaving the eyebrow hair is haram if it is completely shaved or removed, eyebrow embroidery or eyebrow tattoo because it can remove the original structure of the eyebrows and have a bad impact on health. This is what is said in the hadith to change Allah's creation. This research is expected to provide benefits for a wide audience of Muslims, especially women. It is admitted that this research has limitations in presenting the hadith related to Sulam Alis. This study recommends that further research be conducted on the hadith about Sulam Alis which has a correlation with contemporary concepts.

Recalls of tattoo and permanent makeup inks in the United States and a follow-up microbiological survey of inks with a previous recall history.

In this study, we collected voluntary recall records of tattoo and permanent makeup ink from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) Enforcement Report Database. The recall records contain information, such as recall date, manufacturer, ink color, reason for recall, and the microorganisms detected from the ink samples. Between 2003 and 2021, a total of 15 voluntary tattoo ink recalls occurred in the U.S. market, involving over 200 tattoo inks marketed by 13 manufacturers and one distributor. Fourteen recalls were due to microbial contamination, and one recall was due to allergic reaction. As follow-up, a microbiological survey of 28 tattoo inks of new batches from seven manufacturers having products that were previously recalled was conducted. Aerobic plate count (APC) and enrichment culture methods based on the FDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) were used to detect microbial contamination. The results revealed that six out of 28 tattoo inks were contaminated with bacteria and were produced by two manufacturers. The level of microbial contamination was less than 250 CFU/g in three of the tattoo inks and between 1 × 103 and 1 × 105 CFU/g in the other three inks. Eleven bacterial isolates were identified, including spore-forming Bacillus-related species and potentially pathogenic species. Overall, this study shows that some tattoo ink products produced by manufacturers with a recall history continue to be contaminated with microorganisms. This highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and quality control of such products.

Types of colourants used in tattoo and permanent make-up techniques, legal regulations, health, and psychological aspects of tattooing.

It is estimated that more than 60 million people in Europe, that is, around 12% of the European population, have at least one tattoo. However, there is still little information on the long-term effects of tattoos. Inks used for tattooing are a mixture of chemicals, with pigments being the main components responsible for the visual effect. The pigments used are not produced specifically as ingredients for tattooing, but mainly/primarily for the needs of industry, where lower purity requirements and quality standards are acceptable. It is therefore necessary to understand the risks associated with tattoos, but also to implement appropriate legal regulations. The aim of this article was to collect and summarise the results of research conducted so far on the type of colourants used in tattoo ink and to analyze the impact of these on human health. In addition, as part of this work, the current legal acts regulating the concentration limits and composition of inks used in tattooing as well as the psychological aspects of tattooing were collected and presented. Scientific reports and articles from renowned journals from 1994 to 2022, relevant review and research publications in PubMed, and Google Scholar were analyzed. To analyze the available research literature, the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed databases were used. The following keywords were used to search for publications: tattoos, colourants used in tattoos, side effects of tattoos, legal acts, psychological aspects of tattoos. The result of the literature analysis indicates a risk to health and side effects associated with tattooing the body. There are still no standardised test methods to analyze tattoo inks and assess their safety. Although the art of tattooing has been known for millennia, European legal authorities have not yet implemented effective regulations. Currently, tattoo products in Europe are covered by the general REACH regulation (Resolution ResAP, 2008; EU regulation 2020/2081, 2020). on product safety. The new amendment in force since January 4, 2022 introduces concentration limits for certain substances used in tattoo and permanent makeup inks. However, these provisions do not sufficiently protect either the consumer or the tattoo industry. The results of the research indicate a potentially harmful effect on skin health. A more stringent safety assessment of the colourants used for tattooing is recommended, supported by studies and applicable legislation.

The Effects of Semi-Permanent Eyebrow Make-Up Execution on Appearance Perception and Self-Efficacy of Female Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: In this study, the effect of the eyebrow semi-permanent makeup procedure was verified by paying attention to the side effects of anti-cancer and the psychological and social burden caused by hair loss that may occur in female breast cancer patients. To this end, the difference in perception of eyebrow semi-permanent makeup, appearance recognition, and self-efficacy before and after eyebrow semi-permanent makeup was analyzed to identify relevance and influence. Through empirical analysis, we expect that our quality of life improvement and protective aesthetic contributions will be repaid. The purpose of this study is to contribute to beauty protection and adaptation to the lives of patients and to obtain useful data for the market expansion of semi-permanent makeup in the industrial aspect.
 Method: This study was conducted on female breast cancer patients suffering from hair loss as a side effect of chemotherapy, and 64 questionnaires were collected for verification of research questions. For empirical statistical analysis, SPSS 25.0 program was used, and frequency analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were used. To identify the difference in effectiveness, t-test and ANOVA were analyzed for the pre- and post-differences. In the statistical analysis, statistical significance was judged based on the significance level of 0.05.
 Results: First, when comparing before and after eyebrow semi-permanent makeup, it was found that appearance awareness and self-efficacy improved significantly from the starting point of eyebrow semi-permanent makeup. Second, as a result of an independent sample t-test analysis to confirm the average difference in major variables according to the location of the current hospital, the difference in appearance perception according to the classification of the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan area was found to be significant. Third, the difference in appearance recognition according to the current health status was significant, and the improvement score was found to be higher in the group with better health.
 Conclusion: The eyebrow semi-permanent makeup procedure is increasing everyone's appearance awareness and self-efficacy, and giving positive effects. This study contributed to expanding the beneficiaries of beauty services not only to the general public but also to female breast cancer patients. Through empirical analysis, it was verified that the eyebrow semi-permanent makeup procedure affects the perception of appearance and the increase in self-efficacy in female breast cancer patients. In the future, based on this study, the eyebrow semi-permanent makeup procedure of female breast cancer patients can be used as useful data in the industrial and policy aspects of beauty service, and it can be expected to have a positive effect on the expansion of the domestic beauty industry and the semi-permanent makeup market.

Satisfaction with Service Quality and Re-treatment Intention according to Perception of Eyebrows and Motives for Semi-permanent Makeup Eyebrow Treatment

This study attempted to investigate people’s satisfaction with service quality and re-treatment intention according to the perception of eyebrows, semi-permanent makeup and motives for eyebrow treatment against those in their 20-50s or older, who had semi-permanent makeup or eyebrow treatment before, and the results found the followings: In terms of eyebrow shape, ‘standard’ was the highest with 37.7%, followed by ‘straight (21.7%)’ and ‘angular (18.3%)’. When asked how much satisfied they are with their eyebrow shape, ‘not satisfied (2 points)’ was responded with 2.33 points in average. When asked what bothers them about their eyebrows, ‘loss of eyebrows (18.7%)’ was most responded, followed by ‘unsatisfying shape (18.5%)’. When asked if an eyebrow shape has an influence on their personal image, ‘4.52 points’ was observed in average, being positioned between ‘likely (4 points)’ and ‘very likely (5 points)’. Concerning the effects of the motives to get a semi-permanent makeup or eyebrow treatment on satisfaction with service quality, ‘aesthetic interest’ and ‘pursuit of convenience’ revealed a positive influence with statistical significance. Regarding the effects of satisfaction with such service quality on re-treatment intention, ‘satisfaction with the process’ and ‘satisfaction with the results’ showed a positive influence with statistical significance. In addition, motives to get a semi-permanent makeup or eyebrow treatment, satisfaction with service quality and re-treatment intention were very high with 3.84 points in average. In other words, the above results confirm that motives to get a semi-permanent makeup or eyebrow treatment and satisfaction with service quality have a positive correlation with retreatment intention.