ArticleParticle and fibre toxicology2019
Distribution of nickel and chromium containing particles from tattoo needle wear in humans and its possible impact on allergic reactions.
Article in Particle and fibre toxicology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 75 citations in OpenAlex.
- A Systematic Review on Molecular Toxicology and Omics-Based Risk Assessment of Pigments Used in Dermal Implantation Procedures: Implications for Somatology and Somatic Therapy Practice.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Pooled it
- Is tattooing associated with an increased risk of cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2026Review
- Assessment of Dermally Bioaccessible Elements by Sweat-Simulated Extraction: Analytical Approach and Application to Tattoo Inks.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Tattoo-Induced Cutaneous Lymphoid Hyperplasia: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.Dermatology practical & conceptual · 2026Article
- Article
- Tattoo Ink Exposure and Its Potential Link with Lymphoma and Skin Cancer: A Narrative Review of New Evidence.Cardiovascular & hematological disorders drug targets · 2026Review
- Modern Bioimaging Techniques for Elemental Tissue Analysis: Key Parameters, Challenges and Medical Impact.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Hypersensitivity in Orthodontics: A Systematic Review of Oral and Extra-Oral Reactions.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Tattooed human in vitro skin model for testing the biocompatibility of tattoo inks and healing progression after tattooing.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Article
- Material analysis on semi-permanent makeup needles.Applied microscopy · 2024Article
- Tattoos as a risk factor for malignant lymphoma: a population-based case-control study.EClinicalMedicine · 2024Article
- Tattoo Pigment Biokinetics in vivo in a 28-Day Porcine Model: Elements Undergo Fast Distribution to Lymph Nodes and Reach Steady State after 7 Days.Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Are Some Metals in Tattoo Inks Harmful to Health? An Analytical Approach.Chemical research in toxicology · 2023Article
- Investigation of Adverse Reactions in Tattooed Skin through Histological and Chemical Analysis.Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Chemical characterization of inks in skin reactions to tattoo.Journal of synchrotron radiation · 2022Article
- Tubular glassy carbon microneedles with fullerene-like tips for biomedical applications.Beilstein journal of nanotechnology · 2022Article
- Article
- [Tattoo and sarcoidosis reaction].Bulletin de l'Academie nationale de medecine · 2020Review
- [Complications of tattoos: Clinical and pathological classification, pathophysiology, particle kinetics].Bulletin de l'Academie nationale de medecine · 2020Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors at 8 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAllergic reactions to tattoos are amongst the most common side effects occurring with this permanent deposition of pigments into the dermal skin layer. The characterization of such pigments and their distribution has been investigated in recent decades. The health impact of tattoo equipment on the extensive number of people with inked skin has been the focus of neither research nor medical diagnostics. Although tattoo needles contain high amounts of sensitizing elements like nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr), their influence on metal deposition in skin has never been investigated.
resultsHere, we report the deposition of nano- and micrometer sized tattoo needle wear particles in human skin that translocate to lymph nodes. Usually tattoo needles contain nickel (6-8%) and chromium (15-20%) both of which prompt a high rate of sensitization in the general population. As verified in pig skin, wear significantly increased upon tattooing with the suspected abrasive titanium dioxide white when compared to carbon black pigment. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy of the tattoo needle revealed a high wear after tattooing with ink containing titanium dioxide. The investigation of a skin biopsy obtained from a nickel sensitized patient with type IV allergy toward a tattoo showed both wear particles and iron pigments contaminated with nickel.
conclusionPreviously, the virtually inevitable nickel contamination of iron pigments was suspected to be responsible for nickel-driven tattoo allergies. The evidence from our study clearly points to an additional entry of nickel to both skin and lymph nodes originating from tattoo needle wear with an as yet to be assessed impact on tattoo allergy formation and systemic sensitization.
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