Facial Plast Surg 2019; 35(03): 256-259
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688842
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Applications of Medical Tattooing in the Head and Neck Region

Zhe Hou
1   Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California
,
Patrick K. Lee
1   Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 June 2019 (online)

Abstract

Medical tattooing has been used in various circumstances. In this review, the authors focus on the utilization of medical tattooing in the head and neck region as a minimally invasive alternative to corrective surgeries. It is mostly used to camouflage noticeable surgical scars on scalp, face, and perioral areas. Its use has also been described in cases of concealing depigmentation or hypopigmentation, hair loss, postirradiation telangiectasia, and congenital vascular malformation. These procedures are well-tolerated and safe. Its effects are long-lasting and satisfactory, leading to improvement in self-esteem and increased quality of life in treated patients. The limitations of medical tattooing in such uses include high technical requirement, color fading and alteration, unpredictable outcomes in scarred tissue, and potential cutaneous reactions. It also carries a risk of infection, albeit very low due to standardized sterilization process in a medical setting. The authors conclude that medical tattooing in the head and neck region may serve as an excellent option for patients who seek for cosmetic improvement in their deformities and/or discoloration but would prefer to avoid surgery.

 
  • References

  • 1 Pesapane F, Nazzaro G, Gianotti R, Coggi A. A short history of tattoo. JAMA Dermatol 2014; 150 (02) 145
  • 2 Vassileva S, Hristakieva E. Medical applications of tattooing. Clin Dermatol 2007; 25 (04) 367-374
  • 3 Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J. Scalp micropigmentation: a useful treatment for hair loss. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am 2013; 21 (03) 497-503
  • 4 Traquina AC. Micropigmentation as an adjuvant in cosmetic surgery of the scalp. Dermatol Surg 2001; 27 (02) 123-128
  • 5 Ezzedine K, Eleftheriadou V, Whitton M, van Geel N. Vitiligo. Lancet 2015; 386 (9988): 74-84
  • 6 Garg G, Thami GP. Micropigmentation: tattooing for medical purposes. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31 (8 Pt 1): 928-931 , discussion 931
  • 7 Mahajan BB, Garg G, Gupta RR. Evaluation of cosmetic tattooing in localised stable vitiligo. J Dermatol 2002; 29 (11) 726-730
  • 8 van der Velden EM, Baruchin AM, Jairath D, Oostrom CA, Ijsselmuiden OE. Dermatography: a method for permanent repigmentation of achromic burn scars. Burns 1995; 21 (04) 304-307
  • 9 van der Velden EM, van der Dussen MF. Dermatography as an adjunctive treatment for cleft lip and palate patients. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1995; 53 (01) 9-12
  • 10 van der Velden EM, Van Der Dussen MF. Pseudo-hair formation with dermatography as an adjunctive treatment for cleft lip and palate patients. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1997; 55 (04) 427-428
  • 11 Kadakia S, Ducic Y, Jategaonkar A, Chan D. Scar revision: surgical and nonsurgical options. Facial Plast Surg 2017; 33 (06) 621-626
  • 12 Van der Velden EM, Wittkampf AR, de Jong BD, van der Putte SC, van der Dussen MF. Dermatography, a treatment for sequelae after head and neck surgery: a case report. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 1992; 20 (06) 273-278
  • 13 Drost BH, van de Langenberg R, Manusama OR. , et al. Dermatography (medical tattooing) for scars and skin grafts in head and neck patients to improve appearance and quality of life. JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2017; 19 (01) 16-22
  • 14 Mubki T, Rudnicka L, Olszewska M, Shapiro J. Evaluation and diagnosis of the hair loss patient: part I. History and clinical examination. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014; 71 (03) 415.e1-415.e15
  • 15 Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J, Estrin NF. Scalp micropigmentation: a concealer for hair and scalp deformities. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2015; 8 (03) 35-42
  • 16 van der Velden EM, Drost BH, Ijsselmuiden OE, Baruchin AM, Hulsebosch HJ. Dermatography as a new treatment for alopecia areata of the eyebrows. Int J Dermatol 1998; 37 (08) 617-621
  • 17 Conway H. The permanent camouflage of port-wine stain of the face by intradermal injection of insoluble pigments; tattooing. N Y State J Med 1948; 48 (18) 2040-2043
  • 18 van der Velden EM, de Jong BD, van der Walle HB, Stolz E, Naafs B. Cosmetic tattooing as a treatment of port-wine stains. Int J Dermatol 1993; 32 (05) 372-375
  • 19 van der Velden EM, Drost BH. Dermatography for the treatment of telangiectasis after radiation therapy in the head and neck: report of cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1997; 55 (01) 75-76
  • 20 Alsing KK, Johannesen HH, Hvass Hansen R, Dirks M, Olsen O, Serup J. MR scanning, tattoo inks, and risk of thermal burn: an experimental study of iron oxide and organic pigments: effect on temperature and magnetic behavior referenced to chemical analysis. Skin Res Technol 2018; 24 (02) 278-284