Incorporation in Lipid Microparticles of Acid Red 87, a Colorant Used in Tattoo Inks: Effect on Photodegradation Under Simulated Sunlight and Laser Radiation

The incorporation of the ink tattoo colorant, Acid Red 87 (C.I. 45380) in lipid microparticles while inhibiting the decomposition of the colorant induced by sunlight and thus limiting its fading and release of hazardous photoproducts, would not interfere with its removal by laser treatment, since the laser ‐induced decomposition of C.I. 45380 was not affected by incorporation of the coloring agent into the lipid microparticles. AbstractTattoo colorants decompose under solar radiation and when exposed to laser light for their removal, leading to the accumulation in the dermis of toxic products. Aim of this study was to develop lipid microparticles (LMs) loaded with the colorant, Acid Red 87 (C.I. 45380) used in tattoo inks, and to investigate the effect of this system on the photostability of the colorant under simulated sunlight or laser irradiation. LMs loaded with C.I. 45380 were prepared by melt emulsification using tristearin and phosphatidylcholine as excipients. They were characterized by optical microscopy, laser diffraction, X ‐ray diffraction and release studies. Free C.I. 45380 and the colorant‐loaded LMs were irradiated with a solar simulator or a Q‐switched laser. Irradiation with a solar simulator demonstrated that photodecomposition of C.I. 45380 was markedly reduced by incorporation of the dye in the LMs, fro m 20.5 ± 4.6% to 1.3 ± 1.8%. Conversely, the laser‐induced degradation of the colorant (30.1 ± 6.6%) was not significantly influenced b...

Source: Photochemistry and Photobiology - May 6, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Santo Scalia, Annachiara Dozzo, Sofia Magli, Giuseppe Scarcella Tags: Research Article Source Type: research