Tattoos: A Summary Knowledge for the Practicing Clinician

The article from 2018 provides a detailed overview for clinicians on the subject of tattoos, covering their history, types, reasons for getting them, methods of application, pigments used, medical uses, and potential complications. Tattoos have been present for over 5,000 years and have seen a recent increase in popularity, with a more diverse demographic now getting tattooed for various reasons, including personal expression and rebellion. The tattooing process involves inserting pigments into the skin, which may contain substances like heavy metals. Medical applications are varied, such as marking radiation therapy sites or camouflaging scars. Complications from tattoos can be infectious, inflammatory, or psychosocial, with colored tattoos posing more risks than black tattoos. The article highlights the need for clinicians to be knowledgeable about tattoos to manage related health issues effectively, noting that tattoos can interfere with clinical assessments and treatments, and that tattoo pigments can migrate within the body. Although only 50 cases of skin cancer have been potentially linked to tattoos, this is seen as coincidental. Various histological reaction patterns to tattoos are identified, and while tattoo removal can be achieved through different methods, Q-switched lasers are preferred. The article also mentions regulatory aspects of tattooing in South Africa and advancements in making tattoo removal safer with bioresorbable pigments.