Anaphylaxis and permanent makeup: how to prevent complications?

Karina Mirzakhanyan, PM master, cosmetologist, founder and head of the Karintiya beauty center (Kherson)

Sometimes an allergic reaction may develop during and after the PM procedure. What does a specialist need to know in order to try to avoid this situation, and if necessary, recognize it and respond correctly? Firstly, the PM master must not only master the techniques of micropigmentation, but also understand medicine!

What is anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis (from other Greek ἀνά- “against-” and φύλαξις “protection”) is an immediate type of allergic reaction, a state of sharply increased sensitivity of the body that develops with the repeated introduction of an allergen.

To learn how to deal with anaphylactic shock, you need to know the mechanisms of its occurrence. Let me remind you once again that this is an overreaction of the immune system to an allergen, as a result of which a number of chemical elements are released in the body that can cause shock. If you do not prevent the development of anaphylactic shock with an injection of adrenaline (only if you have a medical education!) And do not take the client to the hospital, a fatal outcome is possible.

Most often, anaphylactic shock is caused by the following allergenic foods: peanuts, nuts, fish, milk; drugs: aspirin and other over-the-counter pain relievers, intravenous contrast agents for diagnostic tests; insect venom: stings of bees, flies, etc.

Risk factors include: asthma, aggravated allergic history.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis:

• low blood pressure
• narrowing of the airways, including swelling of the throat that makes breathing difficult
• weak rapid pulse
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• allergic skin inflammation, itching, redness or pallor of the skin
• dizziness or confusion

How is anaphylaxis related to tattooing ?

Tattooing is associated with a violation of the skin, which means that there is increased sensitivity (pain). To avoid this, the masters use local anesthesia in the form of a cream or gel, which is applied before starting work. Among the most popular pain relievers is TKTX anesthetic cream containing

• lidocaine - 5%;
• prilocaine - 5%;
• epinephrine - 1%.

It is a professional application anesthetic for tattoo sessions, permanent make-up of lips and eyebrows, laser tattoo and tattoo removal, hair removal and other procedures. Lidocaine and prilocaine make the process painless, and epinephrine saves you from swelling and bruising. But just lidocaine can provoke anaphylactic shock.

The master must have anti-shock drugs in the first-aid kit. These include: a disposable system for intravenous infusion of a solution, ethyl alcohol, cotton wool, an oxygen pillow, tongue holder, strophanthin, corglicon, caffeine, cordiamine, antihistamines, ephedrine solution 5%, 2 rubber bands, 5 ampoules of adrenaline 1%, norepinephrine solution 0 .2%, sodium chloride 0.9%, 40% glucose, medaton solution. But keep in mind that only a master with a medical education can carry out any manipulations!

How to avoid difficult and dangerous situations during the tattoo procedure?

The most important thing is to properly consult with the client before the procedure. Collect a detailed history, learn about all chronic diseases and cases of allergic reactions.

After analyzing the cases of allergic reactions in the permanent makeup office (we think that every master at least once faced such a phenomenon as an allergy in a client), you can see that, in addition to allergies to drugs, an allergic reaction to pigments is also possible. There is almost never an allergic reaction to black pigment. The yellow pigment rarely causes allergies, but it can cause a photoallergic reaction (photodermatitis). Green and blue pigments are also slightly allergenic. The red pigment is the most allergenic, even among organic pigments, due to the content of salts and mercury minerals (cinnabar).

Remember! Allergies during permanent makeup are possible, and a preliminary consultation with the master and the attending physician before the procedure will save you and your client from unforeseen consequences. There is no need to be afraid, but you need to be aware of the likelihood of developing an allergy to the pigments with which you work, and be fully prepared!