title: Medical applications of tattooing.
abstract: Tattooing is an ancient procedure, practiced by humans from all parts of the world for a variety of reasons. However, relatively little is known by the medical audience of the numerous medical conditions where tattooing is employed as a therapeutic modality or a diagnostic method. Tattooing for cosmetic and medicinal purposes, referred to as either micropigmentation, dermatography, or medical tattooing, may ensure permanent camouflage in a wide range of dermatological diseases. It can be a valuable finishing step in several surgical procedures in the fields of craniofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive operations, cosmetic surgery procedures, and breast reconstruction. Other fields of application of medical tattooing include radiation therapy, endoscopic surgery, and ophthalmology.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sofia Faculty of Medicine, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria. snejina.vassileva@gmail.com
authors: Snejina
authors: S
authors: Vassileva
authors: Evgeniya
authors: E
authors: Hristakieva
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents