Key Points
- Derms report few problems related to tattoo parlors that do not observe health, safety precautions
- Physicians urge patients to be wary of laser clinics advertising tattoo removal services
Karen Nash
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In 1936, Life magazine estimated that 6 percent of Americans (at that time, 10 million) had tattoos; in 2008, a Harris poll showed that
the number had increased to 15 percent (then, 40 million). On Call wondered whether dermatologists are seeing many complications
from tattoos, or whether tattoo parlors are taking safety precautions to protect their clients. On Call also asked dermatologists
whether they encounter "tattoo regret," and how they advise patients who want to have tattoos removed.
Few problems with parlors
Most dermatologists who spoke to On Call say they see relatively few problems stemming from tattoo parlors that do not observe
health and safety precautions.
Dr. Patel
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Vikas J. Patel, M.D., who has practiced in Washington and now works in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., says, "I think the tattoo industry
has it figured out pretty well. I can't remember any complications from tattoos that I've seen in the past five to six years.
I've actually seen more problems from body piercings than the tattoos."
Dr. Carrasco
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In Austin, Texas, a college town, there's no shortage of tattoo parlors, and Daniel Carrasco, M.D., says he sees the occasional
allergic reaction. "I think the facilities are being a bit more careful, perhaps autoclaving their instruments more diligently,"
he says.
Dr. Badia
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A. Aurora Badia, M.D., D.O., in Fort Myers, Fla., says tattoo parlors seem to be more concerned about safety conditions, based
on requests she's received to serve as medical adviser to various facilities — an offer she hasn't accepted.
"I have seen allergic reactions, usually to the red ink. Red is a problem because it contains cinnabar, and patients can develop
granulomas," she says.
Dr. Beddingfi eld
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On the West Coast, Frederick Beddingfield III, M.D., says he hasn't had the same experience with safety. "My gut feeling is
that it hasn't gotten better. Maybe because we have so many here, I'm seeing complications relatively frequently, because
tattoo parlors try to keep up with demand, and it's not hard to set up a tattoo parlor. There's a lot of variation in quality
control. So, yes, we are seeing complications," he says. "Although it's hard to trace it back definitively, we see hepatitis
C in people who have had tattoos and don't know where else they could have gotten it."
Dr. Beddingfield, an associate clinical professor at University of California, Los Angeles, and director of dermatology research
and development for Allergan, and who also has a clinical practice, says sometimes complications come in unexpected forms.
"I had a patient with a vine of roses and thorns tattooed around her ankle. The red dye, unfortunately, contained HPV. All
of the red roses grew out as warts. It actually looked one of those studded bracelets, he says. "It was incredibly hard to
treat, because the warts just kept growing back. It improved, but never went away fully."
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