Pigments
The terms "ink" and "pigment" are both used in reference to tattoos and permanent cosmetics. Although some tattoo artist use inks, they should never be used for Permanent Cosmetics. Colors used by reputable permanent cosmetic technicians are composed of pigments that are suspended in a carrier solution. The pigment provides the color of the tattoo. The purpose of the carrier is to disinfect the pigment suspension, keep it evenly mixed, and provide for ease of application.
A permanent cosmetic technician has the choice of mixing his or her own pigment (mixing dry dispersed pigment and a carrier solution) or purchasing what are called predispersed pigments. With predispersed pigments, the manufacturer is required to supply a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for any pigment or carrier. The MSDS won't be able to identify all chemical reactions or risks associated with chemical interactions within the pigment or the skin, but it will give some basic information about each component of the pigment. The MSDS may not be available if the technician is mixing their own pigments. And, by the way, like vitamins, pigments and tattoo inks are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Patch Test
Performing a patch test, it would seem, should accurately predict which individuals would have allergic reactions to permanent cosmetic pigments. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Due to the late onset of tattoo reactions, the lack of predictability of these patch tests and the rarity of reactions as a whole, leads to the conclusion that patch tests for permanent cosmetics are impractical and not effective. Patch tests do not allow us to accurately predict whether or not a person will have a reaction to a given pigment. While someone may have a positive patch test, there are well-documented cases of tattoo reactions after negative patch tests.
In the most common occurrence of reaction, the tattoo has been in place for several years and the person has an onset reaction correlating sometimes with sun exposure or a latent sensitivity that becomes apparent upon re-exposure of the same element from another source.
Also, it should be considered that tattoos have been performed for thousands of years (think Cleopatra) and there are only a small number of reports of tattoo reactions in the medical literature. One must conclude that reactions are rare.
Your specialist/technician will perform a patch test, if requested. But clients should now that allergic reactions are rare and the patch test has a low predictability rate because of late onset.
MRI Safety
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is frequently used for evaluating the brain, head, neck and chest - regions where cosmetic tattoos are typically applied. Because the pigments contain iron oxides there has been some questions raised over the safety aspects of getting an MRI if you have permanent cosmetics. Studies have been conducted with MRI patients to determine what reactions, if any, will occur.
The most problematic reactions have been reported with traditional, graphic design, art tattoos with fewer than 10 documented cases from permanent cosmetics. The reactions reported during an MR Imaging scan have been limited to a "slight tingling" and the sensation of "burning" by the patients. These "reactions" were temporary with no lasting effect or damage. Certainly, if the MRI is conducted on the exact area of the permanent cosmetics, the radiologist may not be able to get a good read. Always inform your radiologist that you have permanent cosmetics before a scan is completed. This will ensure the best possible results.
United States FDA and Statement on Tattoos
"The risks of avoiding an MRI when your doctor has recommended one are likely to be much greater than the risks of complications from an interaction between the MRI and tattoo or permanent makeup. Instead of avoiding an MRI, individuals who have tattoos or permanent makeup should inform the radiologist or technician of this fact in order to take appropriate precautions, avoid complications, and assure the best results."
Source: http://www.mrisafety.com/safety_article.asp?subject=145
Original source: http://alturl.com/ffund
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