Comparative Toxicological Evaluation of Tattoo Inks on Two Model Organisms

Tattooing is a technique that introduces colored substances under the skin in order to color it permanently. Decomposition products of tattoo pigments produce numerous damages for the skin and other organs. We studied the effects of a commercial red ink tattoo, PR170, on Xenopus laevis embryos and Daphnia magna nauplii using concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg/L. For Xenopus, we applied the FETAX protocol analyzing survival, malformations, growth, heart rate, and the expression of genes involved in the development. In D. magna, we evaluated the toxicity with an immobilization test. Moreover, we investigated the production of ROS, antioxidant enzymes, and the expression of the ATP-binding cassette in both models. Our results indicate that PR170 pigment has nanoparticle dimensions, modifies the survival and the ATP-binding cassette activity, and induces oxidative stress that probably produces the observed effects in both models. Deformed embryos were observed in Xenopus, probably due to the modification of expression of genes involved in development. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also modified in this amphibian. We think that these effects are due to the accumulation of PR170 and, in particular, to the presence of the azoic group in the chemical structure of this pigment. Further studies needed to better understand the effects of commercial tattoo inks.

Tattoo-Associated Cutaneous Mycobacterium mageritense Infection: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

There have been increasing reports of tattoo-associated mycobacterial infections in recent years, with a number of outbreaks documented worldwide. This has therefore become a public health concern. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are capable of producing skin and soft tissue infections typically via inoculation during surgery, trauma, and cosmetic procedures. We present a case of tattoo-associated cutaneous infection caused by <i>Mycobacterium mageritense</i>, a rare species of rapidly growing NTM. A 25-year-old man developed a rash on his left lower leg 4 weeks after he underwent professional tattooing. A skin swab identified <i>M</i>. <i>mageritense</i> complex. Based on susceptibility testing, a course of oral ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was initiated, with significant improvement observed after 5 weeks. We speculate that the mechanism of inoculation was a result of either the artist using nonsterile water to dilute black ink to gray or from use of contaminated prediluted gray ink. The Therapeutic Goods Administration does not have regulatory authority over the sterility of tattoo inks or practices in Australia. Instead, tattoo practices are regulated by local government jurisdictions. Because of the variability seen in clinical presentation and challenges associated with organism identification, a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose mycobacterial infections. Infection caused by NTM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tattoo-associated dermatological complications, particularly in patients who have chronic lesions, negative bacterial cultures, and fail to respond to standard antibiotic therapy. Mandatory regulations for safe tattoo practices should be considered to prevent outbreaks and ensure public safety.

Cutaneous Malignancies in Tattoos, a Case Series of Six Patients

Background: A variety of side effects following the tattooing of the skin were reported over the years. Analytical studies showed that some tattoo inks contain harmful compounds. Methods: We presented six patient cases with cutaneous malignancies in tattooed skin and performed an extensive literature research. Results: Two patients with black ink tattoos that were diagnosed with malignant melanoma raises the number of described cases to 36 patients. One of the patients developed an immunologic reaction limited to the tattoo area after treatment with a targeted immune therapy. In the other patient, the malignancy (malignant melanoma) was fatal. Basal cell carcinoma was seen in four patients with tattoos containing varying ink colors (black, green, red). This increased the number of described patient cases to 18. Although some ink components and their cleavage products have carcinogenic properties, epidemiological evidence for a causative correlation fails. Further epidemiologic studies on tattoos and malignancies, as well as on the appearance of naevi in tattoos, are necessary. Determining the type of mutation might be helpful to separate sun-induced tumors from skin cancers due to other pathogenic mechanisms.

Phylogenetically diverse bacteria isolated from tattoo inks, an azo dye-rich environment, decolorize a wide range of azo dyes

Purpose There has been an interest in the microbial azo dye degradation as an optional method for the treatment of azo dye-containing wastes. Tattoo ink is an extremely unique azo dye-rich environment, which have never been explored in terms of microorganisms capable of degrading azo dyes. Previously, we isolated 81 phylogenetically diverse bacteria, belonging to 18 genera and 52 species, contaminated in tattoo inks. In this study, we investigated if these bacteria, which can survive in the azo dye-rich environment, have an ability to degrade azo dyes. Methods We conducted a two-step azo dye degradation (or decolorization) assay. In step 1, a high-throughput degradability assay was done for 79 bacterial isolates using Methyl Red and Orange II. In step 2, a further degradation assay was done for 10 selected bacteria with a representative of 11 azo dyes, including 3 commercial tattoo ink azo dyes. Degradation of azo dyes were calculated from measuring optical absorbance of soluble dyes at specific wavelengths. Results The initial high-throughput azo dye assay (step 1) showed that 79 isolates had a complete or partial degradation of azo dyes; > 90% of Methyl Red and Orange II were degraded within 24 h, by 74 and 20 isolates, respectively. A further evaluation of azo dye degradability for 10 selected isolates in step 2 showed that the isolates, belonging to Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, and Pseudomonas, exhibited an excellent decolorization ability for a wide range of azo dyes. Conclusions This study showed that phylogenetically diverse bacteria, isolated from azo dye-rich tattoo inks, is able to degrade a diverse range of azo dyes, including 3 azo dyes used in commercial tattoo inks. Some of the strains would be good candidates for future studies to provide a systematic understanding of azo dye degradation mechanisms.

A Study to Assess the Prevalence of Tattooing and Awareness about Associated Health Risks among Students in a Selected College of District Ludhiana, Punjab

Background: Tattooing has gained increasing popularity worldwide especially among adolescents and young adults. Worldwide, the evidence for tattooing has been found since old day. For thousands of years, human beings have marked their own skin, deliberately by permanently applying various types of pigment or ink. Tattoo inks usually consist of organic pigments, isopropyl alcohol and water. Tattooing is a practice in numerous cultures, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes tattoos are used as a proof of social status, or to identify one’s membership. Therefore a study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of tattooing and awareness about associated health risks among students in a selected college of district Ludhiana, Punjab. Objective: To assess the prevalence of tattooing and awareness about health risks associated with tattooing among students. Material and Method: A descriptive research design was used to assess the prevalence of tattooing and awareness about associated health risks among students in selected college of district Ludhiana, Punjab. Convenience sampling technique was used to select sample of 144 students. Data was collected electronically (Google Forms). Analysis was done as per objectives of study by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The study results showed that Majority of the students (>80%) were aware about common health risks related to tattooing. Age and socioeconomic status of students had significant association with awareness of health risk related to tattooing. Conclusion: The study finding revealed that nearly (98.6%) subjects had no tattoo. Hence it was concluded that the prevalence of tattooing among students is (1.4%). In context of tattooing, (42.4%) students were interested to have tattoo whereas, (51.4%) were not interested and (6.3%) were eager to try getting tattoo. Key words: Students, Tattoo, health risks.

Colored Tattoo Ink Screening Method with Optical Tissue Phantoms and Raman Spectroscopy

Due to the increasing popularity of tattoos among the general population, to ensure their safety and quality, there is a need to develop reliable and rapid methods for the analysis of the composition of tattoo inks, both in the ink itself and in already existing tattoos. This paper presents the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy to examine tattoo inks in biological materials. We have developed optical tissue phantoms mimicking the optical scattering coefficient typical for human dermis as a substitute for an in vivo study. The material employed herein allows for mimicking the tattoo-making procedure. We investigated the effect of the scattering coefficient of the matrix in which the ink is located, as well as its chemical compositions on the spectra. Raman surface line scanning has been carried out for each ink in the skin phantom to establish the spatial gradient of ink concentration distribution. This ensures the ability to detect miniature concentrations for a tattoo margin assessment. An analysis and comparison of the spectra of the inks and the tattooed inks in the phantoms are presented. We recommend the utilization of Raman spectroscopy as a screening method to enforce the tattoo ink safety legislations as well as an early medical diagnostic screening tool.

Safety of Tattoos and Permanent Make up (PMU) Colorants

The art of tattooing is a popular decorative approach for body decoration and has a corrective value for the face. The tattooing procedure is characterized by placing exogenous pigments into the dermis with a number of needles. The process of creating traditional and cosmetic tattoos is the same. Colorants are deposited in the dermis by piercing the skin with needles of specific shape and thickness, which are moistened with the colorant. Colorants (pigments or dyes) most of the time include impurities which may cause adverse reactions. It is commonly known that tattoo inks remain in the skin for lifetime. It is also a fact that the chemicals that are used in permanent makeup (PMU) colorants may stay in the body for a long time so there is a significant long-term risk for harmful ingredients being placed in the body. Tattoo and PMU colorants contain various substances and their main ingredients and decomposition components may cause health risks and unwanted side effects to skin.