title: Introduction of dermatome shaving as first line treatment of chronic tattoo reactions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic tattoo reactions requiring treatment have increased. Laser removal is not ideal for removal of allergic reactions. Surgical removal of culprit pigment situated in the outer dermis by dermatome shaving is rational and need to be revisited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty four tattoos with chronic reactions in 50 patients were treated with dermatome shaving. Tattoos with red/red nuances dominated the material. In total, 52 operations were performed in infiltration and 2 in general anaesthesia. Shaving was performed to the level in the dermis free of tattoo pigment as assessed visually by the surgeon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Operative complications were few. Healing occurred over weeks as normal for this procedure. On a rating scale from 0 to 4, 4 as most severe, the patient's severity rating of symptoms in their tattoo declined from 3.2 pre-operatively to 1.0, 0.8 and 0.7 after 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Burden of operation was rated low. Patient satisfaction was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dermatome shaving is efficient and with few complications, and is proposed as first line treatment of chronic tattoo reactions. Shaving of such reactions apparently has been neglected during enthusiastic introduction of laser approaches, which in the treatment of allergic tattoo reactions may be relatively contra indicated and of special risk.
authors: a Wound Healing Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital , Copenhagen , Denmark and.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Sepehri
authors: a Wound Healing Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital , Copenhagen , Denmark and.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Jørgensen
authors: b Department of Dermatology , Bispebjerg University Hospital , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors: Jørgen
authors: J
authors: Serup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007281:Ink; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Allergic tattoo reactions; red tattoos; surgical removal of tattoos