title: The challenges and limitations of chemical analysis of particulate pigments of very low solubility.
abstract: When performing a chemical analysis of colorants in tattoo products, specific degradation products as well as impurity patterns can be predicted. Mislabeling or false declarations can also be avoided using this test. It is notable that pigment identification in tattoo products may serve as a precursory technique to recognize the colorants contained in a patient's tattoo prior to laser removal therapy. In contrast to the analysis of banned pigments, positive identification of pigments will normally require few reference substances. Given the fact that tattoo pigments are nearly insoluble in water and many organic solvents, different chemical pigment analyses are outlined and evaluated. Related publications from the study of art are also mentioned. It is recommended that access to comprehensive pigment standards and spectroscopic databanks should be offered to laboratories dealing with tattoo product analysis in the future.
authors.affiliation: Medico Chemical Lab ApS, Vedbaek, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D012995:Solubility; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013653:Tattooing
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents