Tattoos: From cosmetics to medical

Tattoos have been part of human culture since ancient civilizations; nevertheless, they have experienced an increase in popularity in the last decades. In the United States approximately 36% of the population under 30 has a tattoo, bringing with it, a considerable amount of medical complications of different nature and severity, especially infections of multiples etiologies. In recent years, the practice of tattoing has taken a relevant role at the medical area too. Some examples are the marking of radiation zones in patients with neoplasms; tattoos to hide scars or hypopigmented areas in vitiligo or burned patients; tattoos are used in corneal abnormal coloration too. Dermatologists are forced to deepen their knowledge about tattoos: their aplication method, most frequent complications, and treatments of the complications as well as the available techniques for removing them.