Scars, Marks and Tattoo (SMT) are imprints on the skin that have been shown to be useful by law enforcement agencies for identification of a non-skeletalized body. Tattoos also give specific identifying clues as to the social status, personality, religious affiliations, or affiliations with criminal organizations (e.g., street gangs). However, matching of tattoo images is primarily based on hum...

OBJECTIVE To analyze variables affecting the treatment course and prognosis of Q-switched laser tattoo removal. DESIGN Observational prospective cohort study. SETTING The study was carried out in a referral center for surgery and laser surgery in Milan. PARTICIPANTS Of 397 consecutive patients initially enrolled from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2010, 352 patients (201 men and 151 women; me...

Tattoo artists use many compounds to create tattoo pigment and several allergic reactions can occur as a result of these additives. The compositions of many inks have been identified; however, as new mixtures are created it becomes difficult to identify the specific ingredients in a particular ink. Allergic reactions to a particular pigment can manifest in several ways including allergic contac...

The Nd:YAG laser effectively removes or lightens amateur and professional tattoos. The biomechanics of the removal of tattoo particles at the cellular level are incompletely understood. We examined biopsies obtained from 35 amateur and professional tattoos (including coloured tattoos), treated on three or more occasions with the Nd:YAG laser. Biopsies taken immediately after laser treatment sho...

The presence of tattoos on the skin of people of all ages is on the rise. On occasion, the tattoo is in close proximity to an area which has to undergo a surgical operation, therefore why not using the tattoo itself to cover the cicatrix?The case we treated was that of a 39 year old female who, for a couple of years, had a large lipoma on her right shoulder which she never treated because it wa...

BACKGROUND A rise in popularity of cosmetic tattoos has led to an increase in adverse reactions. Due to more pressing concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not traditionally enforced its authority over tattoo inks. OBJECTIVE To raise awareness of the dangers of cosmetic tattoos. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed FDA policies regarding tattoo ink, different ink components, adv...

Bottlenose dolphins are excellent bioindicators of ocean ecosystem health for three reasons: (a) as long-lived apex predators they accumulate biotoxins and contaminants; (b) they are visible, routinely appearing at the water's surface in coastal areas, often coming into close contact with humans; and, (c) they exhibit a range of pathogenic lesions attributable to environmental degradation. In t...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the value of ultrasound-guided tattooing localization (US-tattoo) using a charcoal suspension for breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred sixty-four nonpalpable breast lesions in 134 patients (mean age 47 years; range 30-74 years) were marked with a charcoal suspension under US guidance. The medical records associated with the US-tattoo, the pathology result...

BACKGROUND Although permanent tattoos are becoming increasingly commonplace, there is a paucity of epidemiological data on adverse tattoo reactions. Several European studies have indicated that tattoo reactions may be relatively common, although the extent of this phenomenon in the United States is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES To provide insights into the prevalence and nature of adverse tatto...

Introduction In 2012, an outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae infections in tattoo recipients in Rochester, NY was found to be associated with premixed tattoo ink contaminated before distribution.1 In May 2012, a case of M. chelonae was reported in a New York City (NYC) resident who received a tattoo with ink alleged to have been diluted with tap water. When a second case of M. chelonae in a tatt...