Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42353137›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

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.

Baatile Komane, Thobile Kaye, Betty Chauke, Rueben Mahlakwana

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Baatile KomaneDepartment of Human Movement and Therapeutic Sciences, Somatology, Arcadia Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.ORCID 0009-0000-0405-0521
Thobile KayeDepartment of Human Movement and Therapeutic Sciences, Somatology, Arcadia Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.ORCID 0009-0006-7094-3284
Betty ChaukeDepartment of Human Movement and Therapeutic Sciences, Somatology, Arcadia Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Rueben MahlakwanaDepartment of Human Movement and Therapeutic Sciences, Somatology, Arcadia Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Pigment implantation (semi-permanent make-up, microblading and cosmetic tattooing) introduces complex pigment mixtures into the dermis, resulting in direct exposure of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and resident immune cells to metals, organic dyes and nanoparticles. Within Somatology and Somatic therapy practice, an allied health discipline concerned with evidence-based care of the skin and body, Somatic Therapists operate at the interface of dermal intervention, molecular exposure and occupational health, underscoring the relevance of mechanistic toxicology for risk-informed professional practice. This PRISMA-guided systematic review synthesises molecular toxicology and omics-based evidence, emphasising oxidative stress generation, inflammatory signalling via NF-κB/MAPK pathways, apoptosis and genotoxicity, T-cell-mediated type IV hypersensitivity reactions associated with modern red azo pigments, and dermal-to-lymphatic transport of particulate matter. Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies consistently demonstrate pigment-specific inflammatory responses and wound-healing gene signatures, supporting mechanism-driven biocompatibility profiling. Regulatory frameworks, including EU REACH Annex XVII Entry 75 and recent FDA guidance on microbial contamination, have strengthened compliance requirements; however, surveillance continues to identify mislabelling, restricted pigments and microbial contamination in some inks. For Somatology and Somatic therapy practice, these findings highlight the importance of evidence-based pigment selection, traceable sourcing, aseptic technique, ventilation, personal protective equipment and informed consent addressing pigment migration and delayed adverse reactions. The integration of molecular outcomes with omics technologies and regulatory oversight provides a next-generation risk assessment framework to advance safe cosmetic practice and public health.

Indexed as

Body Modification, Non-TherapeuticColoring AgentsSkinTattooingAnimalsGenomicsHumansOxidative StressRisk AssessmentColoring Agentsdermal-to-lymphatic transportmolecular toxicologynanoparticle toxicityNF-κB/MAPK signallingomics-based risk assessmentoxidative stresspigment implantationsomatic therapysomatologytype IV hypersensitivity

Identifiers

PMID42353137
PMCPMC13299748

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.