[Complications related to tattoo practice]

Complications related to tattoo practice. Tattooing can result in a wide variety of complications, whose prevalence and incidence remain still unclear. Hypersensitivity reactions (or allergies) to tattoo pigments are currently the most common complication on a tattoo, however are not predictable. Infections are nowadays directly related to the lack of asepsis and hygiene during the tattooing procedure or during the healing phase. Patients with a known cutaneous disease should be warned of a potential risk of localization of their disease to the tattoo. Patients with chronic conditions and/or impaired immunity should discuss with their physician about the possibility and when to have a tattoo. Laser removal is the gold standard for tattoo removal and include Q-switched, picoseconds and CO2 lasers. However, a complete disappearance of the tattoo is not always possible.