Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
Healing II: Complications01:24

Healing II: Complications

Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Family History and Solar Insolation in Bipolar I Disorder.

Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica·2026
Same author

Tuning biological processes <i>via</i> co-solutes: from single proteins to protein condensates - the case of α-elastin condensation.

Chemical science·2025
Same author

Sociability increases survival of adult female giraffes.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2021
Same author

TREM-1 and TREM-2 Expression on CD14<sup>+</sup> Cells in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in the Context of T Cell Immune Response.

Mediators of inflammation·2020
Same author

X-ray fluorescence analysis of metal distributions in cryogenic biological samples using large-acceptance-angle SDD detection and continuous scanning at the Hard X-ray Micro/Nano-Probe beamline P06 at PETRA III.

Journal of synchrotron radiation·2019
Same author

Characterization of the in situ pellicle ultrastructure formed under the influence of bovine milk and milk protein isolates.

Archives of oral biology·2019
Same journal

Environmental criteria in dermatology research grants.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
Same journal

Microneedling with adipose MSC exosomes versus monotherapy for androgenetic alopecia.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
Same journal

Diabetes and melanoma: Impact on prognosis and healthcare costs.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
Same journal

Differential survival with adjuvant immunotherapy in stage III acral versus non-acral melanoma.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
Same journal

Estimating the global burden of mental health disorders associated with atopic dermatitis.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
Same journal

Proteomic analysis in hidradenitis suppurativa reveals systemic inflammation in all disease stages.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

A Two-Step Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Method with Mass Spectrometric Detection for Identification of Tattoo Ink Ingredients and Counterfeit Products
08:07

A Two-Step Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Method with Mass Spectrometric Detection for Identification of Tattoo Ink Ingredients and Counterfeit Products

Published on: May 22, 2019

The decrease of pigment concentration in red tattooed skin years after tattooing.

K Lehner1, F Santarelli, R Penning

  • 1Department of Dermatology Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
|February 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tattoo ink, especially red azo pigments, significantly decreases in skin after application. Most of the injected pigment decomposes or migrates, potentially causing adverse skin reactions.

More Related Videos

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine
04:18

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Published on: June 28, 2024

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
04:43

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation

Published on: May 23, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

A Two-Step Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Method with Mass Spectrometric Detection for Identification of Tattoo Ink Ingredients and Counterfeit Products
08:07

A Two-Step Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Method with Mass Spectrometric Detection for Identification of Tattoo Ink Ingredients and Counterfeit Products

Published on: May 22, 2019

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine
04:18

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Published on: June 28, 2024

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
04:43

Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation

Published on: May 23, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Toxicology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Tattooing involves injecting colorants, with red azo pigments being common.
  • These pigments can decompose in the skin or be transported via the lymphatic system.
  • Decomposition is linked to adverse skin reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the reduction in red tattoo pigment concentration in human skin.
  • To assess pigment decomposition and migration in vivo.
  • To understand potential health risks associated with tattoo colorants.

Main Methods:

  • Extraction and quantification of red pigments from tattooed skin specimens.
  • Utilized High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology.
  • Synthesized and used pure red azo pigments as reference standards for HPLC analysis.

Main Results:

  • Identified and quantified red tattoo pigments (e.g., Pigment Red 22, Pigment Red 112) in 5 out of 9 specimens.
  • Mean pigment concentration found to be 0.077 ± 0.046 mg/cm².
  • Estimated a significant decrease of 87% to 99% in pigment concentration compared to initial tattooing levels.

Conclusions:

  • Large tattoos contain substantial amounts of azo pigments (over 760 mg).
  • The majority of these pigments decompose within the skin or migrate into the body.
  • This process may pose health risks, including severe skin reactions, for tattooed individuals.