Fading and color reproducibility of nipple areola tattoos in Asian patients

Abstract Backgrounds The purpose of this study was to clarify fading, 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 month, 3 months, 6 months 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 one month after tattooing. For RGB and luminance, significant differences were seen between pre-immediate after, 1-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 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, i.e., fading continued even between 6 -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. Conclusions The fading rate of tattooed NACs tended to decrease as time progresses, but fading still occurs between 6 - 12 months. Luminance was 9% brighter than contralateral NAC at 12 months after.