Long-time Effect of Eyebrow Tattooing on Skin Thickness Based on Histopathologic and Ultrasonographic Changes of Skin and Result of Upper Lid Blepharoplasty of These Patients: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Eyebrow tattooing is a relatively common cosmetic procedure in middle aged woman that can hide age related brow ptosis. Skin changes following brow-tattooing can cause unacceptable cosmetically appearance of eyebrow and upper eyelids. This study focused on skin changes years after upper lid tattooing and effect of these changes on result of upper lid blepharoplasty. Methods: 14 patients included in this study, 7 patients with eyebrow tattooing at least 5 years before and 7 patients without eyebrow tattooing. All of patients undergone sonography of eyebrows to measure the skin thickness from skin to bone. Then upper lid blepharoplasty was done with skin incisions that include small margin of tattooing site. Skin samples were evaluated histopathologically. Results: Median ages of patients were 50 years old in both groups. In tattooed eyebrow group total skin thickness from skin to bone was 5.9mm on lateral side of eyebrow and 6.1mm on medial side of eyebrow compared to non-tattooed eyebrow group (4.8mm and 4.1mm respectively). Histopathologic findings in tattooed eyebrow group ranged from edema and congestion to sub epidermal fibrosis and chronic inflammation. These changed were not seen in controlled group. Conclusion: brow tattooing can cause skin changes with important impacts on eyebrow and upper eyelid cosmetics. These changes must be considered when planning upper lid blepharoplasty to achieve better results.