Abstract
Medical tattooing has been used in various circumstances. In this review, the authors
focus on the utilization of medical tattooing in the head and neck region as a minimally
invasive alternative to corrective surgeries. It is mostly used to camouflage noticeable
surgical scars on scalp, face, and perioral areas. Its use has also been described
in cases of concealing depigmentation or hypopigmentation, hair loss, postirradiation
telangiectasia, and congenital vascular malformation. These procedures are well-tolerated
and safe. Its effects are long-lasting and satisfactory, leading to improvement in
self-esteem and increased quality of life in treated patients. The limitations of
medical tattooing in such uses include high technical requirement, color fading and
alteration, unpredictable outcomes in scarred tissue, and potential cutaneous reactions.
It also carries a risk of infection, albeit very low due to standardized sterilization
process in a medical setting. The authors conclude that medical tattooing in the head
and neck region may serve as an excellent option for patients who seek for cosmetic
improvement in their deformities and/or discoloration but would prefer to avoid surgery.
Keywords
dermatography - surgical scars - camouflage - medical tattooing
