Laser tattoo removal expert Dr. Will Kirby recently published a paper in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology that takes an in-depth look at tattoo inks and potential allergic reactions that tattoo inks may cause. From the paper's introduction:

Tattoo artists use many compounds to create tattoo pigment and several allergic reactions can occur as a result of these additives. The compositions of many inks have been identified; however, as new mixtures are created it becomes difficult to identify the specific ingredients in a particular ink. Allergic reactions to a particular pigment can manifest in several ways including allergic contact dermatitis and photoallergic dermatitis. Subsequently, tattoo ink or pigment allergy reactions can be classified as acute inflammatory reactions, allergic hypersensitivities, and granulomatous, lichenoid, and pseudolymphomatous types of reactions. This paper will review the clinical manifestations and the most common compounds associated with cutaneous reactions to tattoo ink.

The rest of the tattoo ink allergy paper discusses tattoo ink composition and the variety of potential allergies related to those ingredients.

Dr. TATTOFF prides itself on being the leading experts on laser tattoo removal, and that means understanding the entire tattooing process as well. We look forward to seeing you at a Dr. TATTOFF clinic soon for laser tattoo removal!

Dr. Will Kirby is widely considered to be one of the world's leading experts on laser tattoo removal, having published the Kirby-Desai scale earlier this year and having overseen tens of thousands of tattoo removal treatments. The Kirby-Desai tattoo removal scale was covered in this month's issue of MedEsthetics. That article appears here. From the article:

Accurately estimating the number of laser treatments required and the approximate cost of a patient's tattoo removal procedure may have been made easier with the publication of a proposed grading system known as the Kirby-Desai Scale. Published in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, The Kirby-Desai Scale: A Proposed Scale to Assess Tattoo-Removal Treatments offers a practical numerical scale to assess the number of laser tattoo-removal treatments necessary to achieve clearance. Based on a retrospective chart review of 100 tattoo patients who achieved total clearance, it suggests an algorithm to assign numerical scores to six parameters: skin type, location, color, amount of ink, scarring and layering. The Kirby-Desai score derived by totaling the values of these six parameters correlates with the number of treatment sessions required. Providing patients with accurate information is one of the most important things physicians can do in terms of setting realistic expectations, says William Kirby, DO, FAOCD, lead author on the original research and principal at Dr. Tattoff, Beverly Hills, California. As we continue to improve the way we relay information to patients, we will become more efficient with this emerging technology, and this increase in efficiency will make treatment more cost effective.

Dr. Will Kirby is interviewed about tattoo removal in this month’s issue of Grazia, an Italian magazine. Click here to read the article.

Dr. Will Kirby spoke about the tattoo removal business in an interview on NPR this afternoon entitled Celebrity Dermatologist on Tattoo-Removal Business.

Click here to listen to the interview.