Imaging of intradermal tattoos by optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
Tattoos have become increasingly popular followed by a growing demand for tattoo removal, and yet there is little knowledge and monitoring of tattoo pigment deposition in skin layers. The purpose of this pilot study is to describe optical coherence tomography image characteristics of intradermal tattoos.


METHODS
We included five black tattoos in 3 female volunteers, 39, 35 and 30 years old. In vivo imaging of tattoo pigments in the skin is possible with optical coherence tomography (OCT), a novel non-invasive, in vivo optical imaging technology with a resolution and a penetration in skin high enough for visualization of tattoo pigment in the dermis.


RESULTS
In optical coherence tomography images tattoo pigments clusters appear as dark, homogenous vertical columns and structures in the papillary dermis. OCT-scanned normal skin (without tattoos) appeared to be free of this dark structure.


CONCLUSIONS
We have demonstrated that OCT can be used to visualize clusters of light absorbing pigments in a predictable manner.
Morsy
Hanan
H
Department of Dermatology, Roskilde Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. hanan_morsy2003@yahoo.com
Mogensen
Mette
M
Thrane
Lars
L
Jemec
Gregor B E
GB
D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013653:Tattooing; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*
D004396:Coloring Agents