Accidental Tattooing of the Face Treated by Abrasion With Sandpaper

TREATMENT of accidental tattooing heretofore has been most unsatisfactory. Various chemical methods have been employed. In 1888, Variot1advocated tattooing a concentrated solution of tannin into the mark, followed by immediately rubbing a silver nitrate stick over the treated area. The part thus treated blackens, and a crust forms and drops off, leaving a fine scar. Various modifications of this method have been described. Shie2employed a tattooing instrument and a 50% solution of tannic acid. Lerner3used superficial cross-hatched scarifications through a lake of 10% aqueous tannic acid solution. Brault4tattooed a solution of 75% zinc chloride into the mark. Karpelis5cross hatched the skin deeply with a fine scalpel and rubbed in potassium permanganate. In cases of argyria, Stillians and Lawless6employed intradermal injections of a mixture of 6% potassium ferrocyanide. Treatment by mechanical abrasion, such as rubbing the tattoo mark