Case Report
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Dec 6, 2022; 10(34): 12781-12786
Published online Dec 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i34.12781
Complication after nipple-areolar complex tattooing performed by a non-medical person: A case report
Je Yeon Byeon, Tae Hoon Kim, Hwan-Jun Choi
Je Yeon Byeon, Tae Hoon Kim, Hwan-Jun Choi, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Cheonan KS002, South Korea
Author contributions: Byeon JY and Kim TH contributed to manuscript writing and editing, and data collection; Choi HJ contributed to conceptualization and supervision; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hwan-Jun Choi, MD, PhD, Professor, Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang 6 gil 31, Bongmyeong-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan KS002, South Korea. iprskorea@gmail.com
Received: September 25, 2022
Peer-review started: September 25, 2022
First decision: October 12, 2022
Revised: October 14, 2022
Accepted: November 7, 2022
Article in press: November 7, 2022
Published online: December 6, 2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND

Compared to earlier, there has been an increase in the tattoo procedures for cosmetic purposes; and there has also been an increase in the tattoo procedures performed by non-medical personnel. In South Korea, only tattoos performed by a doctor are considered legal; however, there is still some debate over whether tattoo procedures performed by non-healthcare providers should be considered legal.

CASE SUMMARY

A 28-year-old woman visited our hospital with pain in both nipples and heat sensation over the last 4 d. She had a history of a nipple tattoo performed by an unlicensed person. Pinpoint bleeding was noted in both areolar areas, and the exudate mixed with pus and orange color ink was discharged. Oral medication and tulle with foam dressing were performed under the impression of cellulitis and allergic reaction. After 4 wk, nipples remained dark brown in color, resulting in a color mismatch between the nipple and orange-colored areola. The size of the areola was also found to be distinctly asymmetrical after healing. This complication may have been caused by the use of illegal ink or unsanitary procedures, or a problem may have occurred in the post-tattoo management stage.

CONCLUSION

Doctors use approved ink, aseptic procedure and appropriate postoperative care, and appropriate management can be performed in case of complications.

Keywords: Infections, Nipples, Tattooing, Licensure, Case report

Core Tip: Tattoos are restricted in some cultures, or they are regulated by national policies. In the case of South Korea, it is stipulated by law that only a doctor can perform tattoo procedures. Nevertheless, as the accessibility and demand for tattoos increase among the people, illegal tattoo procedures are increasing. The author presents complications that occurred after illegal tattoo procedures. The use of unapproved dyes, unsanitary procedures, and the absence of post-treatment can result in unnatural and ugly tattoos. Tattoos can be performed more beautifully and naturally by a doctor, especially by a plastic surgeon. In particular, tattoos for cosmetic purposes can produce better results than those performed by non-medical personnel. Therefore, doctors' interest and participation in tattoos are necessary, and government regulations are also necessary.