Tattoo aftercare management with a dermo-cosmetic product: Improvement in discomfort sensation and skin repair quality

Tattoo Regret, Complications, and Removal: A Cross-Sectional Study among Tattooed Individuals in Saudi Arabia

Background

A tattoo is a pigment permanently deposited into the skin to create different patterns. The worldwide percentage of tattooed individuals, as well as the level of tattoo regret, complications, and removal, has increased. However, data from Saudi Arabia are lacking.

Objective

To determine the rates of tattoo regret, complications, and removal among tattooed individuals in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A link to the survey was distributed through social media and contained twenty questions about participants' demographics, tattoo practices, regret, removal, and complications. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 181 tattooed individuals participated in the study. Most of them were females (95.6%), and 76.7% had their first tattoo at an age over eighteen years. A total of 47.5% had one tattoo session, and the most common body site was the eyebrows (57.5%). Fifty-eight percent regretted their tattoo, and 42.5% attempted to remove it. Upper extremity tattoos were significantly associated with regret (72.3%) (P=0.004) and removal (56.9%) (P=0.003). Tattoo removal was mostly due to cultural reasons (74%). Local itching (32%), pain (22.7%), and infection (10.5%) were reported and associated with tattoo regret (P < 0.05). Itching was significant in 65.4% of head and neck tattoos and 41.5% of upper extremity tattoos (P < 0.05). Participants were aware that laser is the best method for tattoo removal.

Conclusion

Among tattooed individuals in Saudi Arabia, the rate of tattoo regret and removal is high, and the most reported complication is pruritus.

A Novel Approach for Dermal Application of Pranoprofen-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Post-Tattoo Inflammatory Reactions

Recently, the number of people acquiring tattoos has increased, with tattoos gaining significant popularity in people between 20 and 40 years old. Inflammation is a common reaction associated with tattooing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a nanostructured lipid carrier loading pranoprofen (PRA-NLC) as a tattoo aftercare formulation to reduce the inflammation associated with tattooing. In this context, the in vitro drug release and the ex vivo permeation-through-human-skin tests using Franz cells were appraised. The tolerance of our formulation on the skin was evaluated by studying the skin's biomechanical properties. In addition, an in vivo anti-inflammatory study was conducted on mice skin to evaluate the efficacy of the formulation applied topically after tattooing the animals. PRA-NLC showed a sustained release up to 72 h, and the amount of pranoprofen retained in the skin was found to be 33.48 µg/g/cm2. The formulation proved to be well tolerated; it increased stratum corneum hydration, and no signs of skin irritation were observed. Furthermore, it was demonstrated to be non-cytotoxic since the cell viability was greater than 80%. Based on these results, we concluded that PRA-NLC represents a suitable drug delivery carrier for the transdermal delivery of pranoprofen to alleviate the local skin inflammation associated with tattooing.