Academic- The Age of Tattoos: Challenges and Complications for Patient and Provider

Over a third of American adults have at least one tattoo and the number grows from year-to-year, and while they are more socially acceptable, the broad range of complications continues to increase. Ranging from scars, the inability to detect melanomas, infectious diseases, serious reactions to unregulated ink, increased hepatitis and HIV rates, with concerns over ink migration into the lymph, tattoos are a decision with life-time considerations for both patients and providers. What are the main areas of concern and what is the best practice to handle the most common problems? Photos will dominate the fast-paced and common-sense presentation.