ABSTRACT
Traumatic tattoo is the unintentional deposition of inert pigmented substances within the skin. Compared to professional tattooing, important variations exist with regards to pigment composition and placement. Traumatic tattoos typically display a heterogeneous distribution of particles throughout the depth of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The size and nature of the embedded pigments also differ within and among traumatic tattoos. These factors, along with the nature of the inciting injury, determine the appearance of the tattoo and guide therapeutic decisions (Fig. 1). Due to the varying quality and thickness of skin in the craniofacial region, and the high visibility of scars or dyspigmentation in this area, traumatic tattoos of the head and neck require careful, well-planned management to obtain a satisfactory long-term cosmetic result.
