Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/70637
older tattoo that was recently touched up or recolored should also be treated as a new tattoo for safety purposes. Tattoo Removal It is a misconception that any tattoo can easily be removed with a laser. Some inks, especially those containing titanium dioxide, are not affected by lasers at all. Inks containing iron oxides will blur and turn black when laser removal is attempted. For tattoos that can be removed, a series of treatments is needed. The laser ruptures the dermal cells to redistribute the ink. Exactly what happens to the ink particles after that is unknown, but it is believed the body processes them. Skin Care Issues Client education is an important part of our profession. We are often at the front line when it comes to recognizing health issues with the skin, and our relationships with our clients allow us to address issues and refer clients to a doctor when necessary. Most people are already aware of the risk of infection or blood-borne diseases at the time they actually get the tattoo. But there are some long-term risks the esthetician should also be aware of when dealing with tattooed skin. Some pigments used in tattoos are phototoxic: when exposed to light, they can cause a reaction and irritation in some people. This seems to be more common with certain pigment colors, especially red. Plain black ink, on the other hand, generally does not cause problems. If your tattooed client seems to have an allergic reaction to sunlight, consider tattoo phototoxicity as a possible cause, and refer the client to a doctor. Watch, too, for swelling, burning, bruising, granulomas, and hyperplasia. These reactions can sometimes occur after the initial healing period is over, for both tattoos and permanent makeup. These reactions are also more frequent in cases where colored pigment was used. Ideas for Estheticians An esthetician can be a valuable asset to the tattooed client, both before and after the tattooing process. You can offer a series of pretreatments on any area where new artwork is planned, because healthy, well-hydrated skin takes ink better and will prolong the life of the tattoo. Consider offering a "Prep Your Skin for Art" service, which could include a series of hydrating and exfoliating body treatments to prepare the skin for the best possible results. For clients with older tattoos, a "Body Art Brightening Treatment" might be in order. This could be a stand-alone service, or you could offer it as an add-on to facials and body treatments when you see that the client has a tattoo. It could consist of an enzyme peel, mild acid exfoliation (lactic or glycolic at 30 percent), hyaluronic- or algae-based serum, and finishing with a hydrating mask (a shea butter base would be perfect) for 15 minutes. Susanne Schmaling is a licensed esthetician and director of education for Associated Skin Care Professionals. Contact her at sschmaling@ ascpskincare.com. NOTE 1. Harris Interactive Poll, "One in Five U.S. Adults Now Has a Tattoo," news release, February 23, 2012. Introducing Susanne Schmaling We're pleased to welcome Susanne Schmaling to the team at Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) as our new director of education. She will be writing a regular education column in Skin Deep and expanding the range of ASCP's continuing education resources, as well as working with skin care schools, students, and instructors. Schmaling is a licensed esthetician and experienced educator, as well as a popular presenter at conferences and seminars. She founded the Pacific Institute of Esthetics, owned an award-winning spa, and is also the author of Milady's Aesthetician Series: The Comprehensive Guide to Equipment (Milady, 2008) and Milady's Aesthetician Series: Aging Skin (Milady, 2011). Her career includes all aspects of esthetics, makeup, and nail technology, as well as spa design and consulting. Get connected to your peers @ www.skincareprofessionals.com 35