Complication of tattoos: classification and management

Abstract

           Tattooing is a way to insert some pigments into the dermis layer of the skin for creating some graphics or features. It has been done for a long time for representing some symbols, gaining self-confidence, and expressing beliefs. Nowadays, tattoos are popular in worldwide for both sex, and purposes for tattooing are various, especially face tattooing for cosmetic purposes. However, according to the medical literature reviews, the long-term safety of tattooing is lack of data. Additionally, the standard regulations or laws which are regulated the tattooists have been used in very few countries. The laws are only used to control some kind of heavy metal or carcinogen. There is no data of long term safety of pigments and long term immunologic and chemical adverse effects from tattooing. From the literature reviews, there are some reports on both acute and chronic reactions, such as allergic contact dermatitis from tattoo pigments, the skin infection from the procedure caused by unsterile techniques. Therefore, this article aims to review the adverse effects and treatments for the patients suffered from the tattooed complications.