Medical Tattooing

The medical micropigmentation procedure deposits tiny spheres of sterile mineral pigments into the upper layers of the skin (dermis). Unlike standard tattooing, medical tattooing requires the use of a specialized medical tattoo machine, smaller needles, and different pigments.

The procedure is almost painless, as a topical aesthetic is applied to the recipient’s treatment area an hour before the procedure. In most cases, more than one treatment is necessary to achieve the desired result and colour match.

Additional treatment sessions can be performed 6 weeks after the first tattoo until the full tattoo is complete. Depending on the treatment area and the individual’s preference, periodic pigment touch ups may be required to maintain the appearance of the tattoo.

Tattooing is a very safe procedure and fortunately complications are infrequent and usually minor. The consumables are single use to prevent contamination, and the pigments are disposed of after each use. However, no procedure is without risk, and it is important that you are aware of the possible complications. All the risks will be discussed in detail with you at your consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your medical tattooist. It is important to be aware of what are the known risks associated with tattooing:

Bleeding: You can expect the area of skin to be medically tattooed to experience a small amount of bleeding that will be managed by swabbing.

Infection: You may get an infection after any medical procedure, and this includes a skin infection after any tattooing. These can include staph infection or cutaneous tuberculosis. Also uncommon, are reported cases of impetigo and ecthyma, cellulitis, erysipelas and furunculosis.

The risk of infection is mitigated by use of sterile equipment and ink carried out in a sterile treatment room in a regulated clinic. Although there is a remote chance of getting a skin infection from medical tattooing, antibiotics will be prescribed to treat the problem.

Pain: Some patients may experience some minor pain during medical tattooing. In rare instances, pain this can be amplified when tattooing is done near cutaneous branches to median nerves.

For most patients, pain from tattooing will be minimised by patient use of anaesthetic cream which they purchase. This is applied an hour prior to the procedure. Afterward, you can take over-the counter pain relief, but please do not exceed the recommended dosages.

Inflammation: Tattooing damages the skin and this is normal. In some patients, however, medical tattooing can result in the specialist ink reacting with the skin around the tattoo site. This may result in burning, swelling, reddening and in some cases, bruising from inflammation. Granulomas, or nodules of inflamed tissue, around the tattoo site are also possible.

These symptoms will usually settle within 7 to 10 days, but it is always worth letting your medical tattooist know if there are any problems with inflammation.

Discoloration or Fading: Medical tattoos can sometimes lead to further discoloration due to the skin’s reaction to the ink. This may mean that the patient’s original concerns with their skin are exacerbated.

Medical tattoo pigment may also fade with time.

Cancer: There is no robust scientific evidence that concludes that medical tattooing increases the risk of skin cancer or lymphoma. All medical tattoo ink is free of recognised carcinogens. Cases of melanomas being hidden by a tattoo are known, but this risk is mitigated during your consultation in clinic prior to any procedure. It is also possible, especially for patients living in tropical latitudes, that any skin cancer is coincidental to having a medical tattoo. If any melanomas are detected, they must first be treated before proceeding with medical tattooing.

For recovering cancer patients, medical tattooing will only be done once all associated treatment is complete and the immune system is restored.

Future Medical Imaging: There is a small risk that metallic ferric acid pigments used in tattoos can conduct heat on the skin during Magnetic Resonance Imaging resulting (MRI) in significant burn injury. All medical tattoo ink is free of metallic ferric acid pigments. Sometimes, tattoos can lower the quality of an MRI image.

Dissatisfaction/Unsatisfactory Result: Most patients have good results from medical tattooing with evidence of high satisfaction rates (>80%). However, there is never a guarantee of the perfect outcome. The more realistic your expectations are, the better your results will be. Some patients never get their desired results. This is not the fault of the medical tattooist or the medical-tattooing procedure. You may not be happy with the result, and you may choose to have more tattooing to be done elsewhere to get a result you are happy with.

Once the procedure is completed, a layer of Aquaphor® is applied to the skin with a waterproof dressing. This dressing can be removed after 3 days and a thin layer of Aquaphor® can be applied twice a day. The procedure is not particularly painful, but it often feels itchy, and you must avoid scratching the area.

You can return to work immediately. When you return home, you should take it easy for the first 2 weeks (no gym, yoga, or exercise) to avoid sweating too much which can reduce the amount of pigment that takes. If it is very wet under the waterproof dressing, then you can remove it early and pat dry. Aquaphor should then be applied twice a day. You need to avoid getting the treated area too wet from showering and avoid submerging the area including swimming in a pool, ocean, lake, hot tub, or any water source for 10 days.

Do not scratch, rub or pick at the treated area. It will be slightly itchy.
Do not use other ointments, creams, or antibiotics until fully healed.

Please avoid sunbathing or tanning for 8 weeks and use SPF 100 over the tattoo for 12 months after the procedure as sunlight can alter the pigmentation of scars.

Many things may affect the results of your medical tattooing. This can be after initial treatment or in the future. You may need to have more tattooing to get the result you want and there may be additional costs for further treatment.

Tattooing fees are a combination of the clinic costs, the surgeon fees and any consumables such as needles and pigment. In breast reconstruction and scar revision patients the fees are normally covered by your health insurance. However most patients have a co-pay of 20% and certain policies only cover one breast and half of the other breast. This means you are likely to have to pay towards the cost of your surgery. Any fees will be calculated, and you will be informed of the potential fees at your consultation.

Medical Tattooing Treatment Guide

Medical Tattooing - Pre and Post-Operation Instructions