TY - JOUR

T1 - On the mechanism of painful burn sensation in tattoos on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Magnetic substances in tattoo inks used for permanent makeup (PMU) identified

T2 - Magnetite, goethite, and hematite

AU - Serup, Jørgen

AU - Alsing, Kasper Køhler

AU - Olsen, Ole

AU - Koch, Christian Bender

AU - Hansen, Rasmus Hvass

N1 - Funding Information: The authors extend their appreciation Diana Hvas, Permanent Make-up Artist, who donated samples of cosmetic tattoo ink samples from her studio. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2023/3

Y1 - 2023/3

N2 - Background: Persons with cosmetic tattoos occasionally experience severe pain and burning sensation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: To explore the culprit magnetic substances in commonly used permanent makeup inks. Material and methods: 20 inks used for cosmetic tattooing of eyebrows, eyeliners, and lips were selected. Ink bottles were tested for magnetic behavior with a neodymium magnet. Eight iron oxide inks qualified for the final study. Metals were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The magnetic fraction of inks was isolated and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Magnetic iron compounds were characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results: ICP-MS showed iron in all magnetic samples, and some nickel and chromium. Mössbauer spectroscopy and XRD detected ferromagnetic minerals, particularly magnetite, followed by goethite and hematite. Conclusion: This original study of cosmetic ink stock products made with iron oxide pigments reports magnetic impurities in inks for cosmetic tattooing, e.g., magnetite, goethite, and hematite. These may be the main cause of MRI burn sensation in cosmetic tattoos. The mechanism behind sensations is hypothesized to be induction of electrical stimuli of axons from periaxonal pigment/impurity activated by magnetic force. Magnetite is considered the lead culprit.

AB - Background: Persons with cosmetic tattoos occasionally experience severe pain and burning sensation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective: To explore the culprit magnetic substances in commonly used permanent makeup inks. Material and methods: 20 inks used for cosmetic tattooing of eyebrows, eyeliners, and lips were selected. Ink bottles were tested for magnetic behavior with a neodymium magnet. Eight iron oxide inks qualified for the final study. Metals were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The magnetic fraction of inks was isolated and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Magnetic iron compounds were characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results: ICP-MS showed iron in all magnetic samples, and some nickel and chromium. Mössbauer spectroscopy and XRD detected ferromagnetic minerals, particularly magnetite, followed by goethite and hematite. Conclusion: This original study of cosmetic ink stock products made with iron oxide pigments reports magnetic impurities in inks for cosmetic tattooing, e.g., magnetite, goethite, and hematite. These may be the main cause of MRI burn sensation in cosmetic tattoos. The mechanism behind sensations is hypothesized to be induction of electrical stimuli of axons from periaxonal pigment/impurity activated by magnetic force. Magnetite is considered the lead culprit.

KW - biomagnetism

KW - cosmetic tattoo

KW - iron oxide

KW - magnetic field

KW - magnetism

KW - neurosensitive reaction

KW - ore minerals

KW - tattoo burn

KW - tattoo complication

KW - tattoo pain

U2 - 10.1111/srt.13281

DO - 10.1111/srt.13281

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36973979

AN - SCOPUS:85150962485

VL - 29

JO - Skin Research and Technology

JF - Skin Research and Technology

SN - 0909-752X

IS - 3

M1 - e13281

ER -