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Backgrounds: Endoscopic tattooing failure by deep mural injection or tattoo leakage-induced massive staining causes localization errors or decreased laparoscopic visualization. To overcome these, we developed a novel tattoo needle with comparatively shorter needle (length, 2.5 mm) and minimal-caliber catheter (volume, 0.3 mL)., Aims: The single-center, prospective observational study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a small-doze endoscopic tattooing prior to laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, using the needle., Methods: Patients with colorectal cancer indicated for laparoscopic surgery were recruited. With the novel needle, a single tattoo was created at the anterior wall close to the lesion. During laparoscopic surgery, surgeons assessed the tattoo visibility, tattoo leakage, and the disturbance of laparoscopic view by tattoo leakage. The primary endpoint was an accurate localization by visible tattoo. Secondary endpoints were adverse events related to tattooing, the need for intraoperative endoscopy, and tattoo leakage., Results: A total of 383 tattoos in 358 patients were analyzed. Accurate tumor localization rate was 96.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 94.3-98.0%). No adverse events occurred. Intraoperative colonoscopy was performed in 7 (1.8%) patients with invisible tattoo. Tattoo leakage was found in 4.2% (95%CI: 2.6-6.7%), and leakage disturbed the laparoscopic view of the surgical plane in 0.7% (95%CI: 0.3-2.3%)., Conclusions: Prior to laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, our endoscopic tattooing with a standardized protocol using a novel needle is considered a simple, highly reliable localization technique with an extremely safe profile, which would be valuable to reduce physician's efforts and redundant medical resources. Trial registration number UMIN000021012. Date of registration: June 2016., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature.)

Numerous fields of science and technology, including healthcare, robotics and bioelectronics, have begun to switch their research direction from developing 'high-end, high-cost' tools towards 'high-end, low-cost' solutions. Graphene electronic tattoos (GETs), whose fabrication protocol is discussed in this work, are ideal building blocks of future wearable technology due to their outstanding electromechanical properties. The GETs are composed of high-quality, large-scale graphene that is transferred onto tattoo paper, resulting in an electronic device that is applied onto skin like a temporary tattoo. Here, we provide a comprehensive GET fabrication protocol, starting from graphene growth and ending with integration onto human skin. The methodology presented is unique since it utilizes high-quality electronic-grade graphene, while the processing is done by using low-cost and off-the-shelf methods, such as a mechanical cutter plotter. The GETs can be either used in combination with advanced scientific equipment to perform precision experiments, or with low-cost electrophysiology boards, to conduct similar operations from home. In this protocol, we showcase how GETs can be applied onto the human body and how they can be used to obtain a variety of biopotentials, including electroencephalogram (brain waves), electrocardiogram (heart activity), electromyogram (muscle activity), as well as monitoring of body temperature and hydration. With graphene available from commercial sources, the whole protocol consumes ~3 h of labor and does not require highly trained personnel. The protocol described in this work can be readily replicated in simple laboratories, including high school facilities.

Micropigmentation, also termed medical tattooing, can be a useful alternative treatment for patients with vitiligo who are resistant to conventional treatments. To assess the benefits and risks of micropigmentation in the treatment of refractory vitiligo, 25 lesions of 14 patients with vitiligo (Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) were subjected to micropigmentation using an electric tattooing machine between December 2018 and March 2019. The procedure was repeated until satisfactory results were obtained. Treatment response was assessed by color matching of the treated lesion and surrounding skin using a 4-point scale (poor, fair, good and excellent). Excellent color matching was achieved in 80% (20/25) of cases after a median of three (range, 1-5) treatment sessions. Procedure-associated pain was considerable, but no anesthetic injection was needed. Immediate erythema and swelling were noticed after each procedure, but resolved within a few days. Overall, the treatment was tolerable. This study was limited by a small sample, no control group and a short follow-up period. This study revealed that micropigmentation was beneficial for patients with refractory vitiligo who had light to moderately colored skin. Pigment selection, implantation depth and selection of body parts amenable to treatment were critical., (© 2020 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Room-temperature printing of conductive traces has the potential to facilitate the direct writing of electronic tattoos and other medical devices onto biological tissue, such as human skin. However, in order to achieve sufficient electrical performance, the vast majority of conductive inks require biologically harmful post-processing techniques. In addition, most printed conductive traces will degrade with bending stresses that occur from everyday movement. In this work, water-based inks consisting of high aspect ratio silver nanowires are shown to enable the printing of conductive traces at low temperatures and without harmful post-processing. Moreover, the traces produced from these inks retain high electrical performance, even while undergoing up to 50% bending strain and cyclic bending strain over a thousand bending cycles. This ink has a rapid dry time of less than 2 minutes, which is imperative for applications requiring the direct writing of electronics on sensitive surfaces. Demonstrations of conductive traces printed onto soft, nonplanar materials, including an apple and a human finger, highlight the utility of these new silver nanowire inks. These mechanically robust films are ideally suited for printing directly on biological substrates and may find potential applications in the direct-write printing of electronic tattoos and other biomedical devices.

Background: Even though dermatologists often perform drug delivery procedures, it is necessary to assess their safety., Objective: Quantify the amount of medication delivered using the MMP drug delivery technique and outline other safety parameters., Methods: Using a simple and novel technique, we attempted to quantify the amount of medication delivered by weighing human skin samples before and after delivery., Results: In drug delivery done on human skin using a liquid with a density of 1,271,460 μg/ml (the values expressed in this manuscript are in µg), a needling density of 570 perforations/cm 2 , and a needling depth of 300 microns, we estimate that 1,175 μg/cm 2 were delivered (standard deviation 601 μg/cm 2 , standard error 190 μg/cm 2 )., Limitations: This result is only applicable to the protocol proposed in this study for the MMP drug delivery technique., Conclusion: The MMP drug delivery technique injects small amounts of medication (1,175 μg/cm 2 ) homogeneously into the dermis., (© 2019 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Objective: Circadian and sleep dysfunction have long been symptomatic hallmarks of a variety of devastating neurodegenerative conditions. The gold standard for sleep monitoring is overnight sleep in a polysomnography (PSG) laboratory. However, this method has several limitations such as availability, cost and being labour-intensive. In recent years there has been a heightened interest in home-based sleep monitoring via wearable sensors. Our objective was to demonstrate the use of printed electrode technology as a novel platform for sleep monitoring., Approach: Printed electrode arrays offer exciting opportunities in the realm of wearable electrophysiology. In particular, soft electrodes can conform neatly to the wearer's skin, allowing user convenience and stable recordings. As such, soft skin-adhesive non-gel-based electrodes offer a unique opportunity to combine electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrooculography (EOG) and facial EMG capabilities to capture neural and motor functions in comfortable non-laboratory settings. In this investigation temporary-tattoo dry electrode system for sleep staging analysis was designed, implemented and tested., Main Results: EMG, EOG and EEG were successfully recorded using a wireless system. Stable recordings were achieved both at a hospital environment and a home setting. Sleep monitoring during a 6 h session shows clear differentiation of sleep stages., Significance: The new system has great potential in monitoring sleep disorders in the home environment. Specifically, it may allow the identification of disorders associated with neurological disorders such as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder.

Tattoo colourants are colourful nano- and microparticles, which are practically insoluble and thus permanent once installed in the dermis by the tattooist. Tattoo ink also has soluble ingredients and contaminants. Pigments can distribute via the lymph and possibly also directly to the blood, and a minute fraction may over time undergo metabolic breakdown and as hapten(s) induce allergic reactions of red tattoos. Carbon black of black tattoos has a tendency to agglomerate and form larger bodies that can elicit foreign body reactions in black tattoos and even granuloma formation with overlap to sarcoidosis in the clinic. Very little is known about the biokinetics and safety profile of the many tattoo pigments in use, and no specific pigment-related chemical of tattoo ink causing identified adverse reactions in humans has been depicted. Inks have many ingredients and contaminants. Insoluble and soluble ingredients of inks supposedly have very different characteristics of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, with pigments being extremely slowly excreted, contrasting soluble ingredients with fast elimination. Tattoos are a single-dose exposure. Controlling the safety of tattoo inks by banning potentially critical chemicals hitherto has been unsuccessful due to lacking documentation of clinical and epidemiological relevance and because the tattoo industry is already internationally established, free, and in the ownership of the people. Doctors treating patients with tattoo complications consequently have a key role in identifying risk situations and local outbreaks, which needs clarification, therapy, and the intervention of authorities. In the treatment of complications, as seen in general practice and in other specialties, basic insight into the fate of tattoo pigments in the body is necessary. Tattoo complications are complicated and facetted with many entities and disease mechanisms; they are a new subspecialty in medicine and dermatology., (© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

In the early 1980s, an outbreak of hepatitis B in Amsterdam stood at the start of the development of the first hygiene guidelines for tattooists in The Netherlands. Ever since, infection control in tattoo practice has continued to prove its importance as tattoo-related outbreaks of infectious diseases have continued to be reported in Europe. Furthermore, the act of tattooing includes breaking the skin barrier but is performed by professionals who are not medically trained. The Ministry of Health has now implemented uniform regulations that apply to professionals who perform tattooing and apply permanent make-up. These regulations include hygiene guidelines that were developed by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in cooperation with representatives of the tattooing associations. The guidelines contain a list of requirements, including for the studio interior, the cleanness of the studio, the safe use of permitted equipment and products, sterilization methods, and the information provided to the customer. A permit may be granted after an inspection by the local health service, during which the act of tattooing has to be performed. It is now estimated that over 95% of all tattoos in The Netherlands were obtained at one of the almost 900 licensed studios. Reports of complications are generally low in number. We suggest that uniform European hygiene guidelines would further contribute to the safety of tattooing., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The tattoo studio and the procedures and operations of practicing tattooing may help to reduce the risk of infections associated with tattooing or, if improper, increase the risk. Thus, as a preventive measure, the tattoo studio should be optimized. All procedures should be carefully chosen to eliminate microbial contamination from the environment (from needles, machines, and other utilities) and also from persons. This chapter provides a detailed generic description of the organization of a safe tattoo procedure, i.e. guidance for professional tattooists on how to set up or reorganize their studio with the aim of the highest standard possible, which may satisfy customers' needs and make the procedure safe for the end consumer as well as the practitioner. These practices are necessary to meet upcoming official requirements in the future., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The following excerpt is taken from the hygiene guidelines written by Deutsche Organisierte Tätowierer (DOT e.V. Germany; German Association of Professional Tattoo Artists) and United European Tattoo Artists e.V. (UETA). It has been published with the intention of creating a standard that is understandable and accomplishable in practice, focusing on a minimum standard level that guarantees the highest possible safety for tattooists and customers at the same time. The DOT and UETA consistently strive to participate in the research of tattoo hygiene and tattoo colours because important insider information can be provided by professional tattoo artists with many years of work experience., (© 2015 DOT/UETA.)

Starting out as a professional tattooist back in 1977 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Frank Rosenkilde has personally experienced the remarkable development of tattoo machines, needles and utilities: all the way from home-made equipment to industrial products of substantially improved quality. Machines can be constructed like the traditional dual-coil and single-coil machines or can be e-coil, rotary and hybrid machines, with the more convenient and precise rotary machines being the recent trend. This development has resulted in disposable needles and utilities. Newer machines are more easily kept clean and protected with foil to prevent crosscontaminations and infections. The machines and the tattooists' knowledge and awareness about prevention of infection have developed hand-in-hand. For decades, Frank Rosenkilde has been collecting tattoo machines. Part of his collection is presented here, supplemented by his personal notes., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

This chapter will briefly explain the tools and techniques behind a good tattoo. Beside the fact that the professional tattoo artist needs to have talent for composing and drawing motives - the artistic part of his or her profession - the technical side of the process must also be mastered to make great tattoos. The craftsmanship behind the art., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Tattooing became a popular phenomenon during the late twentieth century. Because the act of tattooing involves repeated injection of ink through the skin, a risk of contracting infections from contaminated tattooing equipment and ink and the surrounding environment exists. Progress has been made in infection control strategies; however, contraction of bacterial and viral infections from tattooing continues to occur. The risk of acquiring a tattoo-related infection largely depends on the hygiene conditions under which the tattoo is applied. Nevertheless, even when adequate hygiene and sanitation measures are taken, the inks themselves may contain infectious microorganisms that are able to survive under hostile conditions, such as in inks. The results of the few studies on the microbiological quality of unopened and opened tattoo inks are reported. Some authors' conclusions demonstrated that the current ink sterilisation systems show a low capability to inactivate microbial contamination in tattoo inks. At the moment, European Resolution ResAP2008-1 recommends that the ink be sterile and supplied in containers that maintain the sterility of the product until application. In light of the outcomes of published studies, at the moment, preservation of the microbial quality and safety of ink seems challenging and still difficult to reach., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The efficiency and safety of charcoal nanoparticle tattooing in localizing unpalpable colonic small lesions for later laparoscopy is described. Twenty six patients were enrolled for this prospective study. Tumor sites were localized with charcoal nanoparticles during colonoscopy for later laparoscopic colorectal operations. In all patients, the entire colon was examined preoperatively by colonoscopy and 0.5 ml (5 mg) of charcoal nanoparticle was injected submucosally near lesions or polypectomy sites. During laparoscopic colorectal operations for these biopsy-proven tumors, tumors were easily identified. The mean resection margin was 3.13 +/- 2.01 cm. The mean length of resected intestinal segment was 12.69 +/- 4.39 cm. No tumor was found at the resection line as indicated by postoperative pathological examination. Most importantly, no wrong segment was resected. Thus we show that easy identification of tumor can be achieved by preoperative tattooing with charcoal nanoparticles. Further studies regarding the long-term tattooing of tumor with charcoal nanoparticles are warranted.

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a highly sophisticated medical tattoo process for balding or thinning hair. SMP looks amazingly simple, but this novel technique must be customized for each patient because the skin in each patient differs with regard to how the scalp reacts as it holds on to the tattoo dye. There are many variables involved with performing SMP that makes this process more of an art form than a science. SMP is a very labor-intensive process that could require multiple sessions and up to 20 hours of procedural time to satisfy the patient. This review discusses applications and technical considerations of the SMP process., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Precise and expedient localization of small pancreatic tumors during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy can be difficult owing to the decreased tactile ability of laparoscopy and the homogenous appearance of the surrounding retroperitoneal fat. Precise localization of the lesion is critical to achieving adequate margins of resection while preserving as much healthy pancreas as possible. The objective in this study was to determine the effect of endoscopic tattooing of the distal pancreas on operative time., Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 36 consecutive patients who had a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy at our institution over a 4-year period (2006-2009). Ten patients underwent preoperative tattooing via an endoscopic transgastric technique using ultrasound guidance. The tattoo was performed using 2-4 cc of sterile purified carbon particles injected immediately proximal and anterior to the pancreatic lesion. Operative times were compared according to the presence of a tattoo., Results: The endoscopically placed tattoo was easily visible upon entering the lesser sac in all 10 patients at laparoscopy. Patients with a tattoo had a shorter operative time (median, 128.5 minutes; range, 53-180) compared with patients without a tattoo (median, 180 minutes; range, 120-240; P < .01). None of the tattoo group required repeat surgery, whereas 1 patient who was not tattooed required re-resection for a lesion missed in the initial specimen. There were no complications associated with the endoscopic ultrasound-guided tattoo., Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tattooing of pancreas lesions before a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is safe and is associated with decreased operative time compared with nontattooed patients. This technique can allow for quick and precise localization of the lesion, allowing for optimal preservation of pancreas parenchyma and demarcating an appropriate line of resection., (Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Because all humans have an identity in life, compassionate societies require that this identity be recognized after death. Traits that are incorporated purposefully into the teeth as a result of cultural considerations are common. The positive identification of living or deceased persons using the unique traits and characteristics of the teeth is a cornerstone of forensic science. As an adjunct to the previously published article on "CHOUMPS" Enamel Tattoos, (Journal of Forensic Odonto-stomatology 2007;25:61-2), the present report provides an insight into more patterns of highly individual enamel tattoos, various instruments and procedures to perform it and discusses the myths and beliefs associated with this practice.

Tattooing has been shown to be very efficient at inducing immunity by vaccination with DNA vaccines. In this study, we examined the usability of tattooing for delivery of peptide vaccines. We compared tattooing with subcutaneous (s.c.) needle injection using peptides derived from human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) proteins. We observed that higher peptide-specific immune responses were elicited after vaccination with the simple peptides (E7(44-62) and E7(49-57)) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin-(KLH)-conjugated peptides (E7(49-57), L2(18-38) and L2(108-120)) with a tattoo device compared to s.c. inoculation. The administration of the synthetic oligonucleotide containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs (ODN1826) enhanced the immune responses developed after s.c. injection of some peptides (E7(44-62), KLH-conjugated L2(18-38) and L2(108-120)) to levels close to or even comparable to those after tattoo delivery of identical peptides with ODN1826. The highest efficacy of tattooing was observed in combination with ODN1826 for the vaccination with the less immunogenic E6(48-57) peptide and KLH-conjugated and non-conjugated E7(49-57) peptides which form the visible aggregates that could negatively influence the development of immune responses after s.c. injection but probably not after tattooing. In summary, we first evidenced that tattoo administration of peptide vaccines that might be useful in some cases efficiently induced both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

Objective: The aim of this study was to document the phenomenon of tattooing and piercing in prisons in Quebec and to identify factors underlying the intention of inmates to demand that equipment used in prison for piercing and tattooing be cleaned with bleach., Method: A total of 1,434 inmates recruited in seven prisons completed a questionnaire with the help of a community worker. The questionnaire was developed using an integrative model based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour., Results: One third of respondents had been tattooed in prison in the past and 2.6% had a piercing; 27.2% of the tattooing and 30.5% of the piercing were carried out using unsafe equipment. Three quarters of the respondents expressed a firm intention to demand that equipment used for tattooing or piercing be cleaned with bleach. Logistic regression analysis showed that personal normative beliefs (OR 5.09; 95% CI 3.54-7.32), perceived behavioural control (OR 3.55; 95% CI 2.48-5.08) and role beliefs (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.72-6.06) were the significant determinants of intention., Conclusion: Interventions aimed at encouraging safer tattooing and piercing activities in prison should focus on inmates' sense of responsibility, obstacles impeding adoption of this behaviour and promotion of this behaviour as an integral part of the culture in the prison environment.

The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE), at Machinery Directive Administrative Cooperation meeting, brought a problem to the attention of semi-permanent make up equipment sold in the European market, that may pose a health risk due to microbiological contamination. Considering that body adornment techniques are becoming increasingly popular, a study was carried out to evaluate the technical characteristics of such equipment and to collect information on the National and European regulatory situation. In most member states of the European Community, tattooing and semi-permanent make up activities are not regulated by specific laws. In Italy, the "Guidelines for safe tattooing and piercing practices" were laid down by the Ministry of Health in 1998 (Notes N. 2.8/156 of 5 February 1998 and n.2.8/633 of 16 July 1998). This paper discusses the need to implement the above guidelines and to harmonize European legislation on the subject.

Tattooing of the nipple-areola complex has become standard procedure in reconstruction following a mastectomy. It is generally performed as the final stage of breast reconstruction. We began performing the procedure in 1991 and have treated more than 1,000 patients. The purpose of this article is to report on updated techniques since nipple-areola tattooing was first performed.

Dermatography is the application of tattooing techniques in medicine. In the past, several techniques have been tried but none of these led to reproducible results. Over the last 17 years, dermatography has been developed into a technique that is both generally applicable and reproducible. It is a suitable treatment modality for disturbing skin discolorations and scars. With dermatography these can be permanently camouflaged. In this paper, the use of dermatography as a treatment after periocular interventions is discussed.

Tattooing has become a popular recreational practice among younger adults over the past decade. Although some of the pigments used in tattooing have been described, very little is known concerning the toxicology, phototoxicology or photochemistry of these pigments. Seven yellow tattoo inks were obtained from commercial sources and their pigments extracted, identified and quantitatively analyzed. The monoazo compound Pigment Yellow 74 (PY74; CI 11741) was found to be the major pigment in several of the tattoo inks. Solutions of commercial PY74 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) were deoxygenated using argon gas, and the photochemical reaction products were determined after exposure to simulated solar light generated by a filtered 6.5 kW xenon arc lamp. Spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses indicated that PY74 photodecomposed to multiple products that were isolated using a combination of silica chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. Three of the major photodecomposition products were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry as N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxobutanamide (o-acetoacetanisidide), 2-(hydroxyimine)-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxobutanamide and N,N''-bis(2-methoxyphenyl)urea. These results demonstrate that PY74 is not photostable in THF and that photochemical lysis occurs at several sites in PY74 including the hydrazone and amide groups. The data also suggest that the use of PY74 in tattoo inks could potentially result in the formation of photolysis products, resulting in toxicity at the tattoo site after irradiation with sunlight or more intense light sources.

This article describes the use of dermatography as a method to reduce large cosmetically unacceptable scars in the temporo-occipital region after craniosurgery. Over a period of 15 years, 17 patients were treated in two to five 1-hour sessions without local anesthesia. The results show that dermatography is effective in providing a lasting cosmetically satisfactory effect, with subtle pseudo-hair formation and color pigments stably deposited. At the same time, the hypertrophic scars themselves are reduced and flattened, with their tissue made supple.

Background: Tattooing is a commonly used procedure for camouflage of depigmented lesions, especially in vitiligo., Objective: To find a cheap and effective instrument for manual tattooing., Methods: A watchmaker's pin-vise has been described for use as an instrument along with sewing needles for tattooing in vitiligo., Results: A watchmaker's pin-vise is a cheap and effective for manual tattooing of vitiligo., Conclusion: A watchmaker's pin-vise loaded with sewing needles is an effective, cheap, and sterilizable instrument for tattooing. Sewing needles can be used as disposable needles.

Background: Endoscopic marking of intestinal lesions is essential when difficulty is anticipated with subsequent localization during surgical resection or postpolypectomy surveillance. The most commonly used indelible marker has been India ink, which must be diluted and sterilized, a cumbersome process. SPOT, a prepackaged, sterile Food and Drug Administration-approved formulation of pure carbon particles in suspension, eliminates the need for preinjection preparation., Methods: Ten patients with colonic polyps deemed endoscopically unresectable or malignant-appearing had the area surrounding the lesions injected with SPOT and subsequently underwent surgical resection. An additional 103 patients underwent colonoscopic injection with SPOT and were followed endoscopically or underwent surgery at another hospital., Results: The SPOT injection sites were visible to the surgeons in all 10 cases. On histopathologic evaluation, none of the resection specimens exhibited necrosis or abscess formation. In total, there were 118 SPOT injections in 113 patients; none had fever, abdominal pain, or any other signs or symptoms of inflammation develop. In the nonoperated group, 42 patients subsequently underwent colonoscopies at our institution, and in all cases stains were readily identifiable at the injection sites., Conclusions: SPOT is a safe and effective marker for use at colonoscopy when surgical resection is anticipated. It is also useful for endoscopic follow-up of patients who have not undergone surgery.

Background: Common warts are caused by infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Many, largely ineffective, treatment modalities have been tried in the past. The cytostatic drug bleomycin has been found to selectively affect squamous cell and reticuloendothelial tissue, but the method of its delivery directly into affected tissue such as warts has been of little efficacy. This study assessed the efficacy of a new mode of intralesional administration of bleomycin by dermatography., Methods: The warts of patients were treated with increasing concentrations of bleomycin using the van der Velden Derma-Injector, a modified tattooing machine, under local or block anesthesia. The effects of the procedure were evaluated 1, 24, and 48 h later and the patients followed for up to 2 years., Results: Thirteen patients with warts on the hands and/or feet, resistant to conventional therapy, were entered into the study, and two patients dropped out. Of the 11 remaining patients, seven went into full remission that was maintained for at least 2 years. One patient showed moderate progress and in three patients little progress was noted and dermatography was stopped. The dosage of bleomycin varied between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/mL., Conclusions: Dermatography proved to be an effective technique for intralesional administration of bleomycin in more than two-thirds of patients resistant to conventional therapy. Treatment failures in this study could in part be explained by a defective immune system in the patients. Dermatography is a technique that can be learned by any skillful dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Dermatography is the application of tattooing techniques in medicine. In the past, several techniques were tried but none led to reproducible results. Dermatography has been improved over the last ten years, providing techniques which are both generally applicable and reproducible. It is a suitable treatment modality for permanently camouflaging disturbing discolorations and scars. This paper covers technical and medical aspects of dermatography, as well the indications.

Background and Objective: A mechanized micropigmentor with a triple prong tip was used to tattoo two corneas for cosmetically unacceptable blemishes., Patients and Methods: Two adult patients with cosmetically disfiguring corneal blemishes in sightless eyes requested cosmetic improvement. With a mechanized micropigmentor, appropriate pigment was directly inoculated through the epithelium., Results: After 2 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively, there have been no complications and there has been minimal fading., Conclusion: This mechanical device facilitates many more penetrations to introduce pigment, with a more uniform depth than can be achieved by freehand methods.

Purpose: To investigate dermatography as a treatment for cleft lip and palate., Methods: The results of the treatment of 19 cleft lip patients with discoloration of scars and the vermillion border after secondary cleft lip and palate surgery by dermatography and intracicatricial keloidectomy are described., Results: This group of patients has gained self-confidence after treatments, to the extent that their articulation has improved., Conclusion: Dermatography can be applied as an adjuvant treatment with good cosmetic and esthetic results.

Dermatography is the application of tattooing techniques in medicine. In the past, several techniques were tried but none led to reproducible results. Dermatography has been developed over the last 10 years into a technique which is both generally applicable and reproducible. It is a suitable treatment modality for disturbing discolorations and scars of the skin which can be permanently camouflaged.