Tattoo Ink Research Articles (Page 5)

Several microorganisms can be found in tattoo inks injected into the skin, despite the ink matrix being considered inhospitable to microbial growth. Studies on the microbial quality of tattoo inks have reported the presence of microorganisms in most of the samples. This study aimed to assess the survival of environmental and human microbial species, selected on the specific criteria, in tattoo inks. Undiluted sterile black ink and serial dilutions (10-fold/100-fold) were each separately seeded with four bacterial strains (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. pumilus, M. fortuitum), one yeast (C. albicans), and one mold (F. solani). Their survival was periodically tested using cultural methods. No tested microorganisms were able to survive in undiluted ink, except for B. pumilus which survived up to 3 weeks. All the tested species, except for S. aureus, showed survivability for up to 10 weeks in 100-fold diluted inks, and P. aeruginosa, M. fortuitum and C. albicans were even able to grow. B. pumilus and F. solani had good rates of survival even at the smallest dilution. The ability of microorganisms to survive and grow in tattoo inks could have health implications if contaminated ink dilutions are used during tattooing practices and stored for a long time.

Human body is a complex system composed of various chemicals, and thus inserting any foreign chemicals can lead to long-lasting damage. One such process is tattooing, which is widely common among all sections of human society. Nevertheless, there is a huge demand for safe tattoo removal, intending to target only the ink particles and protect the skin components. This work discusses the development of a non-invasive technique to assess tattoo ink location in the deep tissue layers. Tattoo ink was injected systematically from 1-6 mm depth, parallel to the surface of an <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">ex vivo</i> porcine skin. The adopted methodology of the crossover point-based diffuse reflectance (DR) technique could effectively and precisely detect the tattoo ink location in the depths. A good quantitative agreement between the detected ink location and injected ink depth on cross-section tattooed skins were observed. The DR technique thus opens avenues for new applications in the clinical field for a non-invasive understanding of deep tissue regimes.

Involvement of type-1 pathway in phototoxicity of benzo[ghi]perylenean ingredient of tattoo ink at ambient exposure of UVR and sunlight.

This article aims to present the corneal tattooing method and how using a tattoo pen machine can improve aesthetic appearance in patients with corneal leukoma. In this study, 42 patients were evaluated who had no visual potential and who had undergone colored corneal tattooing using an automatic tattoo pen machine for aesthetic purposes. The procedure was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The commercially available tattoo ink that has traditionally been used on human skin (brown, green, and black) for years was used for all the patients in this study, and 252 corneal photographs (with a Topcon slit lamp imaging device at 16 magnifications, i.e., 16 ×) taken within the last 2years were evaluated retrospectively. Red, green, and blue (RGB) and hue, saturation, and lightness (HSL) values of the tattooed areas, such as pupils and iris, in corneal photographs were determined online using the Color Code Finder program. The RGB and HSL values of the pupil and iris were compared before surgery on the first day and first week, first month, third month, and twelfth month after surgery. In the first postoperative month, the mean pupil lightness (L) and iris L values were found to have increased by 10.7% and 5.7%, respectively. Between the first month and the first year, the L value of the mean pupil and that of the iris increased by 1.7% and 5.2%, respectively. The increase in the RGB value of the mean pupil in the first month was statistically significant (p = 0.02). The highest increase in RGB values of the iris was observed in the first week and first month (p = 0.113). This result shows that the majority of fading occurred in the first month. After the first month, the increase in the L value in the black-colored pupil was less than that in the brown- or green-colored iris. These results show that light colors fade faster and more. Esthetically, corneal leukoma causes severe psychological problems. Many patients are unable to use prosthetic contact lenses. Evisceration surgery has many complications, and limbal stem cells are used in evisceration surgery. Corneal tattooing using a tattoo pen machine is an easy, practical, and repeatable method used for aesthetic purposes. Successful results require the use of appropriate methods, ink, and ophthalmologist's experience. All patients in this study had a more aesthetic appearance than the preoperative white eye. Further studies are needed to develop a colored aesthetic tattooing method with a tattoo pen machine.

Abstract Tattoo inks contains metal salts or different types of coloured organic molecules. To the best of our knowledge, there are few data on the concentration of hazardous metals in tattoo inks sold online or by makeshift hawkers. The aim of this work was to organize an analytical methodology to ensure the simultaneous quantitative determination of 18 elements in a complex matrix, like inks for tattooing, by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The total concentrations of metals in the 16 analysed tattoo ink samples ranged from 0.060 to 16.9 g kg −1 . Zinc is the most present metal in the samples, in fact it is in the range 3.4–13882 mg kg −1 . In three of the 16 samples the zinc concentrations exceed those required by legislation (2000 μg g −1 ). Cr concentration in all cases is higher than allowed (0.5 μg g −1 ). The weight loss by heating the ink samples to 105 °C and, subsequently, to 550 °C showed that in all cases the volatile component (ethanol, solvents, etc.) varies from 48 (Wh1) to 95 %, while the percentages of the residue at 550 °C ranged from 0 % (BK0) to 47 % (Wh1). Considering values limit, four of analysed samples should not be used by tattoo artists.

Benzo(ghi)perylene (BgP) a black tattoo ingredient induced skin toxicity via direct and indirect mode of DNA damage under UVA irradiation

Abstract Background: Tattooing is increasing in popularity throughout western countries and is seen in approximately 32% of the United States. However, little is known about long-term health effects of tattooing. Some tattoo inks contain carcinogens, which can interact with solar radiation to produce potentially toxic compounds. Tattoo inks can also migrate to the lymphatic system and produce inflammatory and immune responses. In this study, we evaluated whether tattooing exposures were associated with risk of hematologic malignancies. Methods: This population-based case-control study included 656 cases of hematologic malignancies (156 myeloid neoplasms and 500 lymphomas), ages 19-79 years, who were diagnosed between July 2019 and December 2021, and identified through the Utah Cancer Registry using rapid case ascertainment. Controls were selected from ~19,000 adult Utah residents who participated in the 2020 Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) statewide survey and frequency matched to cases in a 3:1 ratio on age, sex, race, and ethnicity. Telephone surveys collected data on number of tattoo sessions, number of large tattoos, age at first tattoo, and relevant covariates. We fit binary logistic regression models for general hematologic malignancies and multinomial logistic regression models for myeloid neoplasms and lymphomas, to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each tattoo variable, adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education level, past cancer diagnosis (yes/no), and ever smoker (yes/no). Results: There was no strong evidence that ever having received a tattoo versus never having received a tattoo was associated with risk of overall hematologic cancers (OR=1.01, 95% CI: [0.96-1.07]), myeloid neoplasms (1.12 [0.59-2.13]), or lymphomas (1.07 [0.77-1.49]). However, having three or more large tattoos, compared with never having received a tattoo, was suggestively associated with an increased risk of overall hematologic cancers (1.33 [0.69-2.47]). The effect estimate was strongest among myeloid neoplasms (1.73 [0.54-5.50]). Compared with never having received a tattoo, receiving a first tattoo before age 20 was associated with an elevated risk of myeloid neoplasms (2.00 [0.91-4.38]), and receiving a first tattoo at age 20 or older was associated with an elevated risk of lymphoma (1.24 [0.84-1.83]), though the estimates were imprecise. Conclusion: We observed a potential association between having several large tattoos and risk of hematologic cancers, particularly myeloid neoplasms. The risk of myeloid neoplasms appeared to be strongest among individuals receiving tattoos at young age. If confirmed, these findings could inform public health messaging about the safety of tattoos. Citation Format: Rachel D. McCarty, Britton Trabert, Morgan M. Millar, Benjamin Haaland, Laurie Grieshober, Mollie Barnard, Lindsay Collin, Jeffrey A. Gilreath, Paul J. Shami, Jennifer A. Doherty. Tattooing and risk of hematologic cancer: A population-based case-control study in Utah [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6471.

BackgroundPersons with cosmetic tattoos occasionally experience severe pain and burning sensation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ObjectiveTo explore the culprit magnetic substances in commonly used permanent makeup inks.Material and methods20 inks used for cosmetic tattooing of eyebrows, eyeliners, and lips were selected. Ink bottles were tested for magnetic behavior with a neodymium magnet. Eight iron oxide inks qualified for the final study. Metals were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The magnetic fraction of inks was isolated and analyzed by X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Magnetic iron compounds were characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD).ResultsICP‐MS showed iron in all magnetic samples, and some nickel and chromium. Mössbauer spectroscopy and XRD detected ferromagnetic minerals, particularly magnetite, followed by goethite and hematite.ConclusionThis original study of cosmetic ink stock products made with iron oxide pigments reports magnetic impurities in inks for cosmetic tattooing, e.g., magnetite, goethite, and hematite. These may be the main cause of MRI burn sensation in cosmetic tattoos. The mechanism behind sensations is hypothesized to be induction of electrical stimuli of axons from periaxonal pigment/impurity activated by magnetic force. Magnetite is considered the lead culprit.

We outline constituents of tattoo and permanent make-up ink with regard to inflammatory tattoo reactions and population-based confounders. The comprehensive review of patch-tested tattoo patients between 1997 and 2022 shows that tattoo allergy cannot be reliably diagnosed via patch testing with today's knowledge. Weak penetration and slow haptenization of pigments, unavailability of pigments as test allergens and a lack of knowledge concerning relevant epitopes hamper the diagnosis of tattoo allergy. Patch testing p-phenylenediamine and disperse (textile) dyes is not able to close this gap. Sensitization to metals was associated with all types of tattoo complications, although often not clinically relevant for the tattoo reaction. Binders and industrial biocides are frequently missing on ink declarations and should be patch tested. The pigment carbon black (C.I. 77266) is no skin sensitizer. Patch tests with culprit inks were usually positive with cheap ink products for non-professional use or with professionally used inks in patients with eczematous reactions characterized by papules and infiltration. Tape stripping before patch testing and patch test readings on Day 8 or 10 may improve the diagnostic quality. The meaningfulness of the categorical EU-wide ban of Pigment Green 7 and Pigment Blue 15:3 is not substantiated by the presented data.

Background: The knowledge about the location and kinetics of tattoo pigments in human skin after application and during the recovery is restricted due to the limitation of in vivo methods for visualizing pigments. Here, the localization and distribution of tattoo ink pigments in freshly and old tattooed human skin during the regeneration of the epidermis and dermis were investigated in vivo. Methods: Two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging (TPE-FLIM) was used to identify tattoo ink pigments in human skin in vivo down to the reticular dermis. One subject with a freshly applied tattoo and 10 subjects with tattoos applied over 3 years ago were investigated in the epidermal and dermal layers in vivo. One histological slide of tattooed skin was used to localize skin-resident tattoo pigment using light microscopy. Results: The carbon black particles deposited around the incision have still been visible 84 days after tattoo application, showing delayed recovery of the epidermis. The TPE-FLIM parameters of carbon black tattoo ink pigments were found to be different to all skin components except for melanin. Distinction from melanin in the skin was based on higher fluorescence intensity and agglomerate size. Using TPE-FLIM in vivo tattoo pigment was found in 75% of tattoos applied up to 9 years ago in the epidermis within keratinocytes, dendritic cells, and basal cells and in the dermis within the macrophages, mast cells, and fibroblasts. Loading of highly fluorescent carbon black particles enables in vivo imaging of dendritic cells in the epidermis and fibroblasts in the dermis, which cannot be visualized in native conditions. The collagen I structures showed a higher directionality similar to scar tissue resulting in a greater firmness and decreased elasticity of the tattooed skin. Conclusions: Here, we show the kinetics and location of carbon black tattoo ink pigment immediately after application for the first time in vivo in human skin. Carbon black particles are located exclusively intracellularly in the skin of fresh and old tattoos. They are found within macrophages, mast cells, and fibroblasts in the dermis and within keratinocytes, dendritic cells, and basal cells in the continuously renewed epidermis even in 9-year-old tattoos in skin showing no inflammation.

Case report: intraperitoneal tattoo ink pigmentation associated with endometriosis

Tattooing, whose popularity is growing worldwide, is an invasive body art that involves the injection of chemical mixtures, the tattoo ink, into the upper layer of the dermis. Although these inks may contain environmental toxins, including known human carcinogens, their long-term health effects are poorly studied. To conduct the urgently required epidemiological studies on tattoos and their long-term health effects, a validated method for assessing the complex tattoo exposure is needed. We aimed to develop and validate the Epidemiological Tattoo Assessment Tool (EpiTAT), a questionnaire to self-assess tattoo ink exposure in tattooed populations suitable for application in large epidemiological cohort studies. One of 3 preliminary versions of the EpiTAT using one of the alternative tattoo measurement units hand surface, credit card, or body schemes was randomly filled in by tattooed volunteers in Lyon, France. To identify the most suitable unit of tattoo self-assessment, a validation study was conducted with the selected respondents (N=97) to compare the self-assessments of tattoo surface, color, and coverage with validation measurements made by trained study personnel. Intraclass correlation, the Kendall rank correlation, and 2-tailed t tests were used to statistically compare tattoo size, color area, and tattoo coverage separately for each questionnaire version. Participants' opinions on the alternative measurement units were also considered in the overall evaluation. For quality control of the validation measures, digital surface analysis of 62 photographs of selected tattoos was performed using Fiji/ImageJ. In general, the results revealed overestimation of self-assessed measures compared with validation measures (eg, mean tattooed body surface 1768, SD 1547, cm2 vs 930, SD 1047, cm2, respectively, for hand surface; P<.001) and validation measures compared with digital image analysis (mean individual tattoo surface 147, SD 303.9, cm2 vs 101, SD 154.7, cm2, respectively; P=.05). Although the measurement unit credit card yielded the most accurate measures for all variables of interest, it had a much lower completion rate (78/129, 60.5%) than hand surface (89/104, 85.6%) and body schemes (90/106, 84.9%). Hand surface measured total tattoo size more accurately than body schemes (absolute agreement intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.71 vs 0.64, respectively). The final version of the EpiTAT contains 21 items and uses hand surface as a visual unit of measurement. Likert scales are used to assess color and coverage as a proportion of the total tattoo area. The overestimation of tattoo size by self-reporting merits further research to identify potential influential factors or predictive patterns that could be considered when calculating exposure.

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

Cosmetic tattoos may cause burning sensation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and interrupt the procedure, and thereby any diagnostic workup. Tattoos also may cause disturbing artefacts in MRI images. The sensation, which can be painful, is due to magnetic elements in the tattoo ink deposited in the tattooed skin. It is not a thermal burn but a subjective sensation of burning. Tattoo ink bottles can be tested for magnetic properties by the artist in the studio, before cosmetic tattooing is performed, using a simple magnet test. This test and the pitfalls of the test are described. Hospital departments and clinics should be aware of the problem, and patients assessed prior to MRI regarding their tattoos, particularly eyebrows and eyeliners made in brown and dark colors. Red tattoos exemplified by tattooed lips are not prone to MRI-induced burning sensation. The problem is related to inorganic pigments with ferromagnetic properties.

Alternatives or complements to laser tattoo removal are needed. Laser removal requires 8-12 sessions and can easily take longer than a year. Some colors cannot be removed, and scars may appear. Applied to allergic reactions in red tattoos, lasers can boost the allergy. A recently developed 20 MHz high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is introduced as a complementary method to lasers, but also as a stand-alone treatment for selected groups. 20 MHz HIFU allows for application of high-power ultrasound energy to very small focal targets in the dermis, and thereby precise confinement of thermal lesions in the outer layers of human skin, precisely where tattoo inks are deposited. HIFU treatment is "color blind" and can target any type of colored pigment in the dermis. It produces a controlled thermal lesion (up to 65°C) with superficial necrosis followed by an eschar with embedded tattoo pigment. This eschar, containing the tattoo pigment, is discharged over some weeks, and finally replaced by healed skin. HIFU can efficiently remove tattoos of any color in only 1-3 sessions. It can be applied to tattoos when lasers fail to produce efficient removal. The types of side effects are the same as with lasers. The operator shall be trained and knowledgeable. 20 MHz HIFU can furthermore be used in clinical and esthetic dermatology for various other applications, and a range of applications are open in clinical dermatology.

Thimerosal is an organomercurial compound, which is used in the preparation of intramuscular immunoglobulin, antivenoms, tattoo inks, skin test antigens, nasal products, ophthalmic drops, and vaccines as a preservative. In most of animal species and humans, the kidney is one of the main sites for mercurial compounds deposition and target organs for toxicity. So, the current research was intended to assess the thimerosal induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were categorized into four groups. The first group was a control group. Rats of Group-II, Group-III, and Group-IV were administered with 0.5µg/kg, 10µg/kg, and 50µg/kg of thimerosal once a day, respectively. Thimerosal administration significantly decreased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), and protein content while increased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels dose-dependently. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, urobilinogen, urinary proteins, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were substantially increased. In contrast, urinary albumin and creatinine clearance was reduced dose-dependently in thimerosal treated groups. The results demonstrated that thimerosal significantly increased the inflammation indicators including nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activities, DNA and histopathological damages dose-dependently. So, the present findings ascertained that thimerosal exerted nephrotoxicity in male albino rats.

ResumenIntroducción:la reacción de hipersensibilidad asociada a tinta de tatuaje y su manejo representan un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico, ya que no se ha realizado una guía de manejo homogénea, eficaz y segura. Por lo que se presenta una revisión con lo que se ha descrito en teorías fisiopatológicas, así como las propuestas terapéuticas y la respuesta encontrada en los casos relacionados que se han reportado.Caso clínico:paciente hombre de 30 años que inicia con dermatosis localizada en extremidad superior derecha, unilateral, asimétrica, de aspecto monomorfo, constituida por mácula artificial, provocada por tinta roja (tatuaje), con desarrollo de lesiones de aspecto papular en trazo original, pruriginosa, tiempo de evolución referido de un mes. El hallazgo histopatológico corresponde a reacción de cuerpo extraño con respuesta parcial a esteroide tópico de baja potencia.Conclusiones:según antecedentes en otros reportes y series de casos, incluyendo la experiencia con nuestro paciente, no existe una eficacia aplicable para la mayoría de los pacientes con el uso de inmunomodulares tópicos, ya que muestran mejoría completa hasta la eliminación del hapteno, ya sea de forma escicional o con láser.

The European Union for Standardization called CEN (Comité Européen de Nomalization), as a result of the project named CEN/TC-435 in January 2020, released a new hygiene standard for tattooing as a non-binding recommendation on safe tattoo practice in Europe, ready for national implementation. It describes hygienic standards for facilities, instruments, tattoo ink handling, and tattoo procedures. Informed consent is included. It is generic and covers all sorts of tattooing. Medical tattooing is performed in hospitals, private clinics, and in tattoo parlors. Hospitals have their own settings and hygiene standards. The article describes practical challenges of medical tattooing performed in hospital settings, with medical tattooing performed in parlors as the reference, with respect to adherence to hygiene standards of different background and nature. It is a challenge possible to overcome in practice. The specialized field of medical tattooing is also visited, and indications and precautions described.

Cosmetic tattooing of eyebrow and lips has become very popular and is expected to be paralleled by more frequent complications. We present 4 cases of granulomas in cosmetic tattoos complicated by regional or systemic manifestations of sarcoidosis including affection of the lungs in 2 cases, the activity triggered by the tattoo. Three cases of traditional decorative tattoos on extremities serve as reference. It is noteworthy that cosmetic tattoos despite small size and thereby low relative dose of pigment injected in the skin can trigger fully developed systemic sarcoidosis. It is hypothesized that iron oxide pigments popular in cosmetic tattoo inks of red or brown color may be prone to elicit sarcoid reactions and thus carry a special risk of granuloma. In decorative tattoos, carbon black is the commonest trigger. It is emphasized that the finding of granulomas in tattoos shall be followed by search of other manifestations of sarcoidosis through patient history and diagnostic examinations to exclude pulmonary, ocular, and other organ manifestations. Patients with granulomas in tattoos shall be informed that active sarcoidosis, if not already present, can become manifest later with a latency of months or years and often with abrupt debut when the triggering tattoo may be overlooked by the doctor who is unfamiliar with this less common type of sarcoidosis.

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a descendant of tattoo ink products and used with the intention of giving the face more advantageous contours. PMU makes it possible to condense eyelashes and eyebrows with fine lines or to visually correct them with cleverly placed contour lines. Even the correction of most subtle irregularities on the skin is possible through skillful pigmentation. Microblading describes a special technique in which the skin is carved with a certain "needle blade." The ink is then applied on the fresh wound and massaged into the cuts in order to depose the pigments in the skin. The field of medical tattooing belongs to PMU as well. Hence, PMU can be regarded as versatile as classic tattooing. Investigating online advertisements, the frequent use of the terms biological-organic or mineral pigments is notable. In opposition to the claim of being permanent, the cosmetical tattoo is often considered temporal. Web-based statements claim the use of special pigments for PMU, 100% free of heavy metals and therefore not aging to reddish, bluish, or greenish altered marks after healing. Statements are made to convey safety to consumers. Facts are mixed with fiction. This review will deal with the general structure of tattoo colorants and explain the differences and parallels to PMU ink. Certain raw material groups will be clarified further, and possible risks linked to certain material groups shall be listed and explained as well.