Traditional Tattooing Research Articles

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.

Tourism and Tradition: How Community-Based and Ethnic Tourism Are Reshaping Chin Traditional Tattoos in Myanmar

In response to the increasing interest in local cultures and the preservation of heritage, the tourism industry has evolved beyond traditional leisure and recreation activities. This evolution has led to a surge in initiatives aimed at safeguarding the cultural identity, heritage, and traditions of developing nations. In the context of chin state in Myanmar, the resurgence of tradtitional face tattoos, onece less prevelent, can be attributed to the rising tourism activity in the region. This study hightights how facial tattors have been commercialized within the tourism sector, influenced by religious and ethnic dynamics. The commodification of these facila tattoos has paradoxically contributed to the preservation of this cultural practice among the Chin tribes by imbuing it with symbolic significance in the realm of ethnic tourism. Moreover, the processes of ethnic tourism have played a crucial role in reviving indigenenous knnowledge and promoting cultural sustainability in Myanmar.By intertwining tourism initiatives with the preservation of cultural heritage, ethnic tourism has emerged as a vehicle for revitalizing traditional practices and forstering a deeper appreciation for the cultural identity of the chin tribes. This intertwining of tourism and cultural sustainability underscores the importance of ethnically engaging with local communties and traditions to ensure the authenticity and longevity of cultural heritage in the face of evolving tourism landscapes.

Engineered Bacteria as Living Biosensors in Dermal Tattoos.

Dermal tattoo biosensors are promising platforms for real-time monitoring of biomarkers, with skin used as a diagnostic interface. Traditional tattoo sensors have utilized small molecules as biosensing elements. However, the rise of synthetic biology has enabled the potential employment of engineered bacteria as living analytical tools. Exploiting engineered bacterial sensors will allow for potentially more sensitive detection across a broad biomarker range, with advanced processing and sense/response functionalities using genetic circuits. Here, the interfacing of bacterial biosensors as living analytics in tattoos is shown. Engineered bacteria are encapsulated into micron-scale hydrogel beads prepared through scalable microfluidics. These biosensors can sense both biochemical cues (model biomarkers) and biophysical cues (temperature changes, using RNA thermometers), with fluorescent readouts. By tattooing beads into skin models and confirming sensor activity post-tattooing, our study establishes a foundation for integrating bacteria as living biosensing entities in tattoos.

Application of Balinese Cultural Concepts in the Creation of Neo-Traditional Tattoo Art Works

This thesis contains a description of the creation of works of tattoo art with the theme "Application of Balinese Cultural Concepts in the Creation of Neo-Traditional Works of Tattoo Art" which was inspired when looking at foreign tattoo styles, namely American traditional tattoos, known as American Traditional (Old School Tattoo). where this tattoo has a very strong characteristic or character, so that the traditional American tattoo style is easily recognized. In Bali itself, there are several adherents of the Neo Traditional tattoo style, one of which is Kink Tattoo Bali, where Kink Tattoo Bali has a similar phenomenon where its tattoo work is recognized by tattoo lovers because Kink Tattoo Bali's work has a strong characteristic or character. so that his work can be easily recognized. The aim to be achieved in this MBKM Internship/Work Practicum activity is to find out the situation in the real world of work and gain experience in the world of work as well as various new work experience skills that can broaden your insight into the scope of tattoo work in the world of work and can deepen your knowledge and techniques. in working on professional tattoo projects in the real world of work. MBKM Internship/Practice activities at Studio Kink Tattoo Bali also aim to hone skills in creating original tattoo works by combining Balinese culture with Neo Traditional tattoo styles. In realizing this tattoo design work, the author used interview, observation, documentation and literature methods. From the title above, there are five tattoo design works in MBKM Internship/Practice activities at Kink Tattoo Bali studio.

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.

The aggressive face of melasma: unveiling the influence of upper lip pigmentation on social perception.

Although melasma leads to emotional distress and quality-of-life reduction, indigenous cultures practice female facial tattooing. Facial cues influence personality trait inferences and attractiveness ratings. Skin lesions have been shown to alter gaze patterns, emotion perception, and social evaluations. This study aimed to evaluate melasma's impact on visual attention, perceived attractiveness, and social evaluations, considering distinct anatomical areas. Additionally, we sought to compare perceptions of traditional facial tattoos due to their purposeful placement. Gaze fixation patterns were examined via eye-tracking, and image-based personality questionnaires were completed for psychological trait assessment. Visual stimuli showcased anatomic melasma variants and tattoo patterns. Traditional tattoos often follow midline patterns, sparing the upper lip. Both melasma and tattoos significantly affected visual attention (p < 0.001), with chin and upper lip melasma garnering increased attention. Upper lip melasma decreased gaze to the ocular area (p ≤ 0.002). while increasing perioral fixations (p < 0.001) compared to healthy faces. Upper lip tattoos conveyed increased perceived aggressiveness (p = 0.004). Ratings for attractiveness and personality traits were lower for centrofacial melasma than other variants, with no significant difference between centrofacial and isolated upper lip melasma. The global avoidance of upper lip pigmentation underscores its perceptual burden. Upper lip pigmentation directs gaze towards anger-signalling regions, increasing perceived aggression and reducing attractiveness. Centrofacial melasma's impact parallels an isolated upper lip pattern, underscoring the disproportionate role of upper lip pigmentation. These findings warrant considering upper lip melasma's significant influence when evaluating quality of life and establishing treatment goals.

Basal cell carcinoma occurring within a traditional tattoo

Basal cell carcinoma occurring within a traditional tattoo

Indocyanine green and near-infrared fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery: a narrative review

Background: The popularity of minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer has been on the rise due to its advantages in faster recovery and improved outcomes. However, the lack of tactile sensation poses challenges for tumor identification and anatomical recognition. Indocyanine green (ICG) with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has emerged as a potential solution to address these challenges. This review summarizes the current status, limitations, and future prospects of ICG and NIR fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer. Search strategy: This narrative review searched the PubMed database for relevant articles related to ICG and NIR fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery, published through 2023. The search criteria comprised “indocyanine green”, “ICG”, “near-infrared fluorescence imaging”, “gastric cancer”, “gastrectomy”, and “minimally invasive surgery”. Findings: ICG with NIR fluorescence imaging offers three main applications in gastric cancer surgery. Firstly, it aids in real-time intraoperative tumor identification when injected locally around the tumor, surpassing traditional tattooing techniques. Secondly, ICG facilitates lymph node mapping, particularly in identifying sentinel lymph nodes, which could reduce unnecessary lymphadenectomy. Thirdly, ICG angiography enables the assessment of blood perfusion during reconstructive surgery, evaluating anastomosis sites and potentially reducing anastomotic leakage risk. Conclusions: ICG and NIR fluorescence imaging have shown promising advancements in enhancing the precision and safety of minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery. However, standardized analysis methods and further prospective studies are needed to fully establish their clinical significance. Overall, ICG and NIR fluorescence imaging hold potential as valuable tools to improve patient outcomes in minimally invasive gastric cancer surgery.

Tattoos: Art, Symbol, and History in Dayak Salako

It is the product of qualitative research with a phenomenon approach that covers several stages of observation, deep interview, and documentation. This qualitative work is done in the large Sajingan district, Sambas. The research discussed the phenomenon of tattooing the Dayak Salako people. In the Dayak, tattoos get important attention inside, where the value and meaning behind the tattoo motif adorns the body of the Dayak. The tattoo on the dayak has a long history. Especially the traditional tattoo that is commonly known to the dayak people as the flower of eggplant, it is one of the tattoos in dayak Iban. In Dayak Salako's own well-known tattoos are a form of transcultural interaction with other hackers who have tattoos. Views have also been given to tattoos in which the study includes two types of tattoos found in the Dayak Salako, it has a traditional motif and contemporary tattoos. With the development and progress of knowledge technology regarding tattoos and tattoo meanings transferred to a new meaning to the use of tattoos among the Dayak Salako people. New tattoo motifs emerged that included artistic value, meaning, and viewpoint. The essence of the tattoos used by the dayak Salako people has become an interesting issue because of their many interfaces with the Dayak Iban and their tattoos add to their knowledge of the tattoo.

Inuit Tattoos in Greenland Today

For years, Greenland has been under Danish colonial rule, which has left the Indigenous People of Greenland with trauma that still haunts them today. The search for identity that has left many young Inuit angry and confused has been difficult to express. Many young Inuit have chosen to use traditional tattoos to heal and strengthen themselves, to show that they are Inuit, to show that they are Kalaallit (Greenlanders). This phenomenon has been seen in Indigenous communities around the world who have experienced similar colonial violence. This essay focusses mainly on the young Inuit from Nuuk, but also discusses the Inuit from Nunavut.

The Application of Traditional Chinese Tattoo Patterns in Modern Packaging Design

With the progress of the times and the development of the economy, people's spiritual culture has also developed and their aesthetic awareness has reached a new height. For the millennial generation, most people no longer have a prejudiced attitude towards people with tattoos, and some even want to have their own tattoos. These days tattoos speak to the individuality and beliefs of a new generation of young people, using their skin as a vehicle to leave a lasting memory in the form of a needle and ink combination, but for those who prefer it but cannot get a tattoo, they often opt for tattoo stickers instead. Inspired by traditional tattoo elements, this paper takes the application of traditional Chinese tattoo motifs in modern packaging design as its inspiration, categorising and outlining traditional tattoo motifs, as well as describing the artistic characteristics of tattoo motifs, and then applying these tattoo motifs to modern packaging design respectively. Modern packaging design is an important part of modern design and is more decorative in design, generally using bright colours and eye-catching text. The integration of traditional tattoo art and packaging design not only breaks through the tattoo stereotype at the same time, but also innovates the expression of modern packaging design, enriching the decorative nature of packaging design while inheriting the tattoo culture.

Fatek (Tattoo): An Ethnic Bontoc Marker in the Northern Philippines

The Bontok Igorots of Mountain Province, in the Cordillera Region, are one of the Philippine tribes that practiced traditional tattooing. The reasons and meanings of their tattoos could be better understood through the traditional context of Bontoc culture. To determine the cultural significance of tattoos to the Bontoks, the descriptive survey investigation was used to explore the tribe’s physical and socio-cultural practice of tattooing (fatek); discover the changes in the practice and perceptions of tattoo as well as its implication in the traditional and contemporary Bontoc society. The study’s primary informants included Bontoc elders with first-hand experiences and knowledge in the practice of traditional tattooing and young people with tattoos. The findings of the study showed that the traditional tattoo in traditional Bontoc society conveyed symbolic meanings, especially among the male members of the tribe. The chaklag is a symbol of status and at the same time a part of the rite of passage. On the other hand, women’s tattoos in Bontoc had no significant meaning but purely for decorative purposes and social acceptance. This study unfolds many unique and indigenous tattoo symbols which contribute to the development of local art. The changing attitudes and perceptions toward tattoos by the contemporary Bontoc community is a tug of war between the older and younger generation. The advancement of technology made tattooing more convenient thus, attracting many young people in Bontoc to have tattoos. Further, tattooing has become part of the health and beauty industry and many young professionals and teenagers are having positive attitudes and perceptions toward tattoos. Today, the impact of tattoos in the Bontoc society is closely felt in the loss of their cultural and symbolic meanings and thus ceased to be an ethnic marker for the Bontoc tribe. In the area of economy, it is beginning to draw clients from young professionals and teenagers. It has likewise become an established career and business causing the development of innovated creative art.

Ritual act, technology, and the efficacy of traditional tattooing among the Igorots of north Luzon, Philippines

What are the social dimensions involved in the technology of traditional tattooing among the Igorots of north Luzon, the Philippines? Based on a long-term anthropological fieldwork among the Igorots, an examination of the varying traditional tattooing practices of these ethnic groups demonstrates that the significance of batok (traditional tattoos) does not only lie in their symbolic and aesthetic qualities, but also in the rituals performed, the taboos observed, and the technology employed in the production of tattoos. The tattoo's appearance on skin is also dependent on the method or technique employed in the production of designs; the varying pigments used to produce a blackish, greenish, or bluish color in tattoos that mark the identity of a group; and the symmetry and arrangement of tattoos. More importantly, this paper explores the social and cultural practices involved in the production of batok for these to achieve the efficacy of purpose and function . This paper examines how the technology of tattoos, along with rituals and their associated taboos, contributes to the production of what is classified among the Butbut of Kalinga as: whayyu or maphod (“beautiful”), rather than lagwing (“unpleasant”); unfinished versus finished; and “thin or thick” tattoos. Traditional tattooing was formerly practiced in the confines of collective and place-based rituals among the people of the Philippine Cordillera. However, the rarity, rawness, and the particularity of the technology used in the production of these tattoos render them more “authentic,” as such, traditional tattooing has entered contemporary tattoo practices in the Philippines as a form of revival.

Tattoo Inks for Optical Biosensing in Interstitial Fluid.

The persistence of traditional tattoo inks presents an advantage for continuous and long-term health monitoring in point of care devices. The replacement of tattoo pigments with optical biosensors aims a promising alternative for monitoring blood biomarkers. Tattoo inks functionalization enables the control of interstitial biomarkers with correlated concentrations in plasma, to diagnose diseases, evaluate progression, and prevent complications associated with physio pathological disorders or medication mismatches. The specific biomarkers in interstitial fluid provide a new source of information, especially for skin diseases. The study of tattoo inks displays insufficient regulation in their composition, a lack of reports of the related complications, and a need for further studies on their degradation kinetics. This review focuses on tattoo optical biosensors for monitoring dermal interstitial biomarkers and discusses the clinical advantages and main challenges for in vivo implantation. Tattoo functionalization provides a minimally invasive, reversible, biocompatible, real-time sensing with long-term permanence and multiplexing capabilities for the control, diagnosis, and prevention of illness; it enables self-controlling management by the patient, but also the possibility of sending the records to the doctor.

The aura of tattoos: The commodification of tradition in Buscalan village, the Philippines

The present study focuses on the ongoing shift in the meaning and importance of traditional Kalinga tattoos that is happening in Buscalan village in the Philippines. The starting point for the analysis is the conception of disintegration of “the aura”, as defined by Walter Benjamin, resulting from their disembedding from time and space that is caused by technological reproducibility of the artworks. The study shows that the basis of the aura of Buscalan tattoos is their relation to a successful headhunt. At present, tattoos in Buscalan are standing on the edge, because the high popularity of the last tattoo artist who tattooed the head-hunters leads to commodification of traditional tattoos and an increase in tourism in the particular area. The study describes a two-way process of disintegration and preservation of the aura of Buscalan tattoos: on the one hand, the tradition of tattooing headhunters has disappeared, but on the other hand, the aura of tattoos is preserved thanks to audiovisual means and sharing on social networking sites. The “here and now” of the place and its tattoos is being transferred into the hyper-reality where Buscalan tattoos are gaining a new dimension

A Medical Tattooing Technique for Enhancing the Three-Dimensional Appearance of the Nipple-Areola Complex After Flap-Based Nipple Reconstruction.

Medical tattooing is a critical reconstructive component in the surgical process for good esthetic outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. There are many nipple reconstruction methods that use a local flap, but reduced post-operative nipple projection is a common problem. Here, we report a modified tattooing method (3D-E tattoo) that enhances the three-dimensional appearance of the nipple-areola complex (NAC), including Montgomery glands, after flap-based nipple reconstruction. The subjects were 110 consecutive patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using the C-V flap technique between April 2017 and June 2019. Of these patients, 49 received traditional medical tattooing (Group T) and 61 underwent 3D-E tattoo (Group 3D). A 10-point subjective evaluation of the 3D appearance of the reconstructed NAC was performed, and the scores were compared between the groups. The procedure time for 3D-E tattoo was about 5 minutes longer than that for traditional tattooing. The average score in Group 3D of 7.8/10 was significantly higher than that of 6.4/10 in Group T. Application of 3D techniques or "realism" in tattoo artistry has significant potential to improve the esthetic outcomes of reconstructive surgery. Adoption of simple technical skills to produce a more realistic 3D NAC permitted a symmetrical appearance to be reconstructed. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Lunat: Tato Tradisional Masyarakat Dawan di Timor Barat

This article aims to find out the meaning and function of the lunat (traditional tattoo) and the factors causing its absence among the Dawan community in West Timor. According to the Dawanese, lunat has a religious meaning and function, namely as a medium or an instrument of Salvation after someone dies. From the research, four things were found to be the causes why this practice is no longer practiced by the Dawanese nowadays. First is the stigma of being a member or part of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). Second is the prohibition of attending school. Third is the disappearance of the lunat religious meaning caused by the transition from traditional religion to Christianity and the fourth is the break in the transfer of knowledge about lunat from one generation to another.

The Kayans: Ontology of their tattoos and its meanings

In Malaysia, the Kayans are just a minority group and have extensive traditional tattoos among the women folks. Anthropologists credited them as the pioneer of exquisite tattoos. The other tribes in Borneo got inspirations for their own body of art. This expansion of existing study attempts to make sense of the motifs and to address the intrinsic and extrinsic meanings of tattoo motifs and relate to their lives. Interviews among tattooed Kayan women folk provide the first-hand information about the implications of tattoos. The perspective of visual semiotics and semantics analysis ultimately shed light on the distant past. Keywords: Kayan, Tattoo, Meaning, Motifs eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning &amp; Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI3.2573

Successful Treatment of Scalp Micropigmentation With 1064 nm Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser.

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a useful technique that applies permanent camouflage for hair loss and scarring. However, suboptimal outcomes necessitate removal. To date, there have been no reports of SMP removal with a picosecond laser. In this report, we demonstrate the safety and efficacy of 1064 nm picosecond neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the removal of SMP. This was a case series of four patients who presented with undesirable SMP. Following induction of adequate cutaneous anesthesia, a 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser was applied to all surface areas with SMP. Post-operative care consisted of 1% dimethicone ointment applied twice daily to the affected areas for 3-7 days. Patients were evaluated after 3-4 weeks and additional treatment sessions were undertaken if necessary. Clearance of SMP was achieved within 1-3 treatment sessions in all cases. There were no unexpected adverse events. Picosecond Nd:YAG laser is an excellent treatment option for undesirable SMP. It is safe and effective and typically requires fewer treatment sessions than traditional tattoo removal. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Radiotherapy without tattoos: Could this work?

IntroductionAn evaluation to compare the traditional tattoo based set up procedure with a surface guided method to assess the possibility of eliminating permanent tattoos in breast cancer patents who are undergoing radiotherapy to the breast/chest wall. MethodsForty-three patients that were having radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall were included in this evaluation. The patients were divided into two groups and further divided into 2 sub-groups. The first group received standard dark ink tattoos and were positioned by aligning these tattoos with lasers. The second group had no tattoo's and were positioned using the Surface-Guided technology (SGRT). Within each group the patients were split into 2 sub-group; right and left sided treatment areas. The right side were treated using a Free-Breathing (FB) technique and the left sided were treated using a Deep-Inspiration Breath-Hold (DIBH) technique. ResultsFor the patients having right sided breast radiotherapy, the mean shift using the standard tattoos and laser set up was 0.52 cm, compared with using the SGRT method where the mean shift was 0.47 cm. (p-value 0.04)For patients having left sided breast radiotherapy with DIBH the mean shift using the standard tattoo's and laser set up was 0.76 cm, compared with a mean shift of 0.45 cm using SGRT alone (p-value < 0.001). ConclusionThe elimination of tattoos together with SGRT offers a comparable set-up for right sided breast treatments against the traditional tattoo method. A significant set-up improvement was observed for the left sided breast DIBH treatments. Implications for practiceTo set up patients having breast Radiotherapy, with no tattoo's.