Is an MRI safe if you have a tattoo or PMU?
Is an MRI safe with tattoos or PMU? Metal particles in some pigments can heat up and cause burning and swelling. What PMU artists and clients should do.
A long time ago I came across an article about a curious case. A football player who had a large, dense black tattoo below his knee was having an MRI scan. Everything seemed fine, but during the procedure he felt a strong burning sensation near the knee, and by the end of the scan it turned out he had actually got a burn.
Busting the myth!
Many of us know the show MythBusters. The team has already tested this for us and confirmed experimentally that our skin will be fine and nobody will get hurt!
What should the artist do?
— Always pay special attention to MRI scans and warn clients about this scenario in advance, so that it does not cause panic and fear for their life during the scan
— Understand that not all pigments contain metal particles. Pay attention to formulations that contain ferromagnetic materials. These are the ones that can cause burning, burns, swelling and micro-injuries of the skin
— If you use a formulation with metal particles, explain to the client that they will need to tell the doctor about their PMU or tattoo
— Remember this yourself, and reassure the client: the skin will not explode, the PMU or tattoo will most likely not change at all, and nothing terrible will happen to the person; the main thing is to be prepared and informed
What should the client do?
— If possible, look for an alternative to MRI
— If there are no other diagnostic options, it is recommended to remove the tattoo or PMU; this is a temporary measure
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to have an MRI with a tattoo or PMU?
Usually nothing terrible happens: the skin will not explode and the tattoo or PMU will most likely not change. But some pigments contain metal particles that the MRI's magnetic field makes move and heat up, which can cause pain, burning and swelling.
Which tattoo and PMU pigments can react during an MRI?
Not all pigments contain metal particles; the ones to watch are formulations with ferromagnetic materials. Some researchers hypothesise that large tattoos with concentric, ring-shaped patterns cause the most discomfort.
What should a client with PMU do before an MRI?
If the PMU was done with a formulation containing metal particles, tell the doctor about it. If possible, look for an alternative to MRI; if there are no other diagnostic options, removing the tattoo or PMU is recommended as a temporary measure.
