Katy Pape, Paulette Waltz, Nicole Cvetnic, Barry Blitch CCTP 506 - Section 2 28 March 2012 Bibliographic Review

- Part 1 [Katy] Timko, Anthony L., Charles H. Miller, Frank B. Johnson and Victor Ross. In Vitro Quantitative Chemical Analysis of Tattoo Pigments. Archives of Dermatology. February 2001, Vol 137, 143-147 http://0-archderm.ama-assn.org.library.lausys.georgetown.edu/cgi/content/full/137/2/ 143. With an eye toward tattoo removal, the authors of this study sought to determine how closely the declared chemical make-up of 30 different tattoo inks matched their actual chemical composition. Using a method called standardless energy-dispersive spectometry, the authors examined inks. The inks are bombarded with electrons, causing them to emit x-rays. The authors read these x-rays and determined the elements (and relative quantity of each element) that made up each of the inks. The authors determined that, with a few notable exceptions, the chemical composition information provided by the manufacturers tended to be accurate. However, the amount of each element present in a given ink varied widely, even among inks of the same pigment. This study matters in terms of tattoo removal because knowledge of the chemical composition of the ink may help doctors perform more effective laser tattoo removal treatments. Some chemicals found in tattoo ink, such as iron oxide, can actually darken when exposed to lasers, so giving doctors information on the composition can help them to predict how effective the treatment will be. [Nicole] Smithsonian.com. Tattoos: The Ancient and Mysterious History. Smithsonian. 1 Jan. 2007. Web. 20 Mar. 2012. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/tattoo.html The author interviews a research fellow using a Q&A format about the history of tattoos and their cultural significance to people around the world. The author inquires about the look of ancient symbols and designs, procedures for administering tattoos, and the specific cultures that used them and why. The author also briefly relates modern day negative beliefs about body modification to the introduction of Christianity. To summarize, the history of modern day tattoos span more than 5, 200 years the earliest example was discovered on the Iceman, a frozen mummy in todays Maori and have been found in the Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, pre-Columbian, Native American, eastern European, and New Zealand cultures. Tattoos or tatataus as the Tahitian islanders called them, have served various purposes throughout history including amulets, status symbols, forms of self-expression, signs of religious beliefs, adornments, and even forms of punishment and criminal activity. They have also been found on all parts of the body. [Paulette] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02187.x/full Kent, K.M., and E.M. Graber. "Laser Tattoo Removal: A Review." Dermatologic Surgery. 38.1 (2012): 1-13. Web. 27 Mar. 2012.

This article is an extensive review of all literature on tattoo removal, spanning professional, amateur, cosmetic, and medical. It begins with the history of the removal process of chemicals or abrasion and discusses how the advent of the laser has changed this field. The authors explain in detail the current standards in tattoo removal procedure. The authors also provide insight to possible future directions of tattoo removal. An interesting point that is brought up is the lack of regulation and documentation when people get tattoos. Since the tattoo removal process is largely dependent on knowing the pigment used, documented information would be helpful for treatment. The tattoo ink Infinitink, which became available in 2009, was created with the purpose of ink removal with lasers in fewer sessions. [Barry] Armstrong, Myrna L., Alden E. Roberts, Jerome R. Koch, Jana C. Saunders, Donna C. Owen and Rox Anderson. Motivation for Contemporary Tattoo Removal: A Shift in Identity. Archives in Dermatology. July 2008, Vol. 144:7, 879-884 http://0-archderm.ama-assn.org.library.lausys.georgetown.edu/cgi/reprint/144/7/879 This journal article explores the motivation behind tattoo removal by quantitatively examining the instances of getting tattoos, qualitatively measuring consequence awareness in a survey format, and by discussion of tattoo removal practices and statistics. The authors compare the same 1996 study with the updated 2006 study. Their main findings include an increase in women getting tattoo removal, which they imply is tied to more women being affected by tattoo possession risks. The richness in statistics and data surrounding tattoo removal timing, demographics, and effects make this article important to our project. The authors also point out that tattoo removal in general may be underreported because of the increase in tattoo removal spas or clinics, or even tattoo studios, rather than official medical centers.