The technique, which can be self-administered, uses microneedles to imprint a pattern on the skin without causing pain or bleeding. The initial applications are likely to be medical – but the team behind the innovation hope it could also be used in tattoo parlors to provide a more comfortable option. “This could be a way not only to make medical tattoos more accessible, but also to create new opportunities for cosmetic tattoos because of the ease of management,” said Professor Mark Prausnitz, who led the work at the Institute of Technology in Georgia. “While some people are willing to accept the pain and time required for a tattoo, we thought that others might prefer a tattoo that simply presses into the skin and doesn’t hurt.” Mark Prausnitz at Georgia Tech displays a microneedle patch. Photo: Georgia Institute of Technology Prausnitz’s lab has researched the use of microneedles to deliver vaccines and realized the work could be applied to tattoos. Tattooists typically use large needles to pierce the skin between 50 and 3,000 times a minute to deposit ink beneath the surface, a time-consuming and painstaking process. The Georgia Tech team has developed microneedles made of tattoo ink encased in a soluble matrix. By placing the microneedles in a specific pattern, each one works like a pixel to create a tattoo image in any shape or pattern, and a variety of colors can be used. Microneedle tattoo designs of a medical alert (top left) and a heart (top right), with their imprints (bottom). Photo: Song Li, Georgia Institute of Technology In a medical setting, tattoos are sometimes used to cover scars, guide repeated cancer radiation treatments, or restore nipples after breast surgery. Tattoos can also be used instead of bracelets to communicate serious medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy or allergies. The study showed that tattoos could last for at least a year and were likely to be permanent, which also made them a viable cosmetic option. The microneedles could alternatively be loaded with temporary tattoo ink. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “The goal is not to replace all tattoos, which are often works of beauty created by tattoo artists,” Prausnitz said. “Our goal is to create new opportunities for patients, pets and people who want a painless tattoo that can be administered easily.”
