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CC BY 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2024; 51(04): 356-362
DOI: 10.1055/a-2309-2731
Breast/Trunk
Original Article

Fading and Color Reproducibility of Nipple–Areola Tattoos in Asian Patients

Mao Yamamoto 
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
2   Department of Plastic Surgery, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
,
Hiroki Mori 
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
,
Masako Akiyama 
3   Research Administration Divisions, Research University Promotion Organization, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
,
Mutsumi Okazaki 
4   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to clarify fading, red, green, and blue values (RGB) change, and color reproducibility for nipple–areola complex (NAC) tattoos.

Methods NAC tattooing was performed on 60 sites in 59 Japanese patients prospectively. The evaluation was assessed using digital photo, Casmatch standardization, and RGB and luminance values preoperatively, immediately after, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after tattooing. RGB and luminance values changes over time, time-adjusted fading rate, and the rate of luminance at 12 months were calculated. In color reproducibility study (n = 34), RGB values after 12 months were compared with the color sample about dark/reddish and light/less reddish pigments.

Results RGB varied widely from immediately after to 1 month after tattooing. For RGB and luminance, significant differences were seen between pre and immediate after, 1 and 3 months, 3 and 6 months, and 6 and 12 months. In G values, significant differences were seen between all neighboring points. The fading rate tended to decrease as time progresses, but was not significant, that is, fading continued even between 6 and 12 months. Luminance was 9% brighter than contralateral NAC at 12 months. Color reproducibility tended to be higher with dark/reddish pigments, despite no significant differences.

Conclusion The fading rate of tattooed NACs tended to decrease as time progresses, but fading still occurs between 6 and 12 months. Luminance was 9% brighter than contralateral NAC at 12 months after.

Keywords

nipple - tattoo - breast reconstruction - NAC

Authors' Contributions

Conceptualization: H.M. Data curation: H.M., M.Y. Formal analysis: M.A. Methodology: H.M., M.Y. Project administration: H.M. Writing—original draft: M.Y. Writing—review and editing: H.M., M.O., M.A. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Tokyo Medical and Dental University (IRB No. 766) and performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.


Patient Consent

Written informed consent was obtained.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 31 August 2023

Accepted: 09 April 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
18 April 2024

Article published online:
19 June 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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