title: Tattoos: Very Popular, Not So Innocent.
abstract: Tattooing is a popular practice worldwide. Its origin dates back to the year 5000 BCE with a frozen mummy and travels across time through diverse cultures and places until it reaches the modern occidental world. Inks and materials used for tattooing are poorly controlled and carry potential risks of skin reactions. The procedure itself is also not innocuous. In this review, different types of tattoos are mentioned and associated dermatologic conditions are discussed. Unfortunately, treatment and removal procedures are often poor in effectiveness and lead to unwanted results. Combining different lasers may be a suitable option that requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Center of Medical Education and Clinical Investigation, Buenos Aires, Argentina; mdhermida@gmail.com.
authors.forename: María Daniela
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hermida
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Nacional Prof. A. Posadas (former chairman), Buenos Aires, Argentina.|University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Hugo Néstor
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Cabrera
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents