A case of delayed anaphylaxis after laser tattoo removal.

INTRODUCTION It is estimated that nearly a quarter of all persons aged 18 to 50 in the United States have a tattoo. Demand for tattoo removal has increased, with an estimated 1 in 5 persons considering tattoo removal. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery physicians reported about 100,000 laser tattoo removal procedures in 2013, up more than 50% from 2012. Motives for removal include aesthetic reasons, poor tattoo result, and professional or social stigma. Laser-assisted tattoo removal remains the gold standard treatment. With increasing demand for tattoo removal, it is important to be cognizant of adverse events that may occur. We report the novel case of a woman who had an allergic cutaneous reaction at a distant, untreated tattoo site, and subsequently had a delayed anaphylactic reaction after laser tattoo removal.