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Cosmetic and Medical Applications of Tattooing

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Dermatologic Complications with Body Art

Abstract

Cosmetic tattoos, also known as permanent Make-Up (PMU), have become mainstream and part of fashion in recent decades. Medical complications including infections and allergy are rare but can occur. Dissatisfaction and regret resulting from a poor aesthetic outcome are reasons to seek medical advice. Removal techniques also have their risks of side effects. Medical alert tattoos are a growing phenomenon. Tattoo devices can also be used for medical indications such as scar corrections and intradermal application of pharmacologic substances.

All these procedures should be performed by trained professionals, with sterile materials and in hygienic conditions.

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Acknowledgement

  • Darline Vierstraete, the Color Studio, Waregem, Belgium

  • Joëlle Senden, Aalst, Belgium

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology, Blankenberge, Belgium

    Christa De Cuyper M.D.

  2. AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende AV, Brugge, Belgium

    Christa De Cuyper M.D.

  3. Dermatology, Lommel, Belgium

    Rika Dubelloy M.D.

Authors
  1. Christa De Cuyper M.D.
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  2. Rika Dubelloy M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christa De Cuyper M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge, Oostende AV, Belgium

    Christa De Cuyper

  2. Department of Dermatology, Clinica Las Condes, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Maria Luisa Pérez-Cotapos S

6.1 Electronic Supplementary Materials

Video 6.1

Microneedling of the surgical scar; procedure by Dr. Dubelloy; recording by Dr. De Cuyper (MP4 52193 kb)

Video 6.2

Nipple-areola-complex repigmentation with a rotary device; procedure by Dr. Dubelloy; recording by Dr. De Cuyper (MP4 193338 kb)

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Cuyper, C.D., Dubelloy, R. (2018). Cosmetic and Medical Applications of Tattooing. In: De Cuyper, C., Pérez-Cotapos S, M. (eds) Dermatologic Complications with Body Art. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77098-7_6

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