Complication after nipple-areolar complex tattooing performed by a non-medical person: A case report

Figure 1 Initial Photograph of both nipple areolar complex. Scars were seen on both peri-areolar areas and lower pole of the breast after the breast reduction operation. Pinpoint bleeding was found in both areolar areas. The size of the nipple areolar complex (NAC) on the right side appeared larger than that of the NAC on the left side. The nipples remained dark brown in color because tattoos were not performed on that area and they did not match the color of the areolar area. Hypopigmentation was seen in both areolar areas.

Figure 2 An exudate from the areolar area. Red arrow indicated blood clot and bleeding. Yellow arrow indicated orange color ink ejected from the areolar area. Blue arrow indicated an exudate mixed with pus.

Figure 3 A photograph taken after treatment. A: A photograph taken after two weeks of treatment. Swelling, discharge, and pain improved, and bleeding stopped. Epithelialization was in progress, but there was still a raw surface on the areolar area. Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation were seen. Also, color mismatch and size mismatch of both nipple areolar complex (NACs) were noted, and there was a color mismatch between the nipple and areolar area, which looked unnatural; B: A photograph taken after four weeks of treatment. After treatment, more than half of the ink was lost, leaving only a part. Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation had worsened. It was necessary to correct the size and color of both NACs. The areolar tissue had turned into scar tissue and looked even more unnatural.