A Temporary Tattoo That Heals

No need to say that tattoos are "in" right now. Statistics show that 40% of U.S. adults between the ages 18 to 29 have one. Soon this trend may turn from a purely aesthetic crave to a healing method. Can you imagine going to hospital to get tattoed?

Reaserchers at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine tested how antioxidant nanoparticles can be injected underneath the skin and thus provide relief from autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (M.S.). "The majority of current treatments are general, broad-spectrum immunosuppressants" said one of the researchers, Redwan Huq. "They're going to affect all of these cells, but patients are exposed to side effects (ranging) from infections to increased chances of developing cancer. So we get excited when we see something new that could potentially enable selectivity".

Through the use of nanotechnology most of patient's immune system would remain intacted. Christine Beeton, who led the study, believes that injecting nanoparticles under the skin instead of directly into blood system, would keep them active longer. "The carbon-based particles form a dark spot that fades over about one week as they are slowly released into the circulation" Beeton explained. The unavoidable dark spot may be turned into a perk: a nicely designed tattoo.

Maybe in the future healing process will start at the Nano Supermarket, where you will choose the shape of your healing temporary.

Source: Big Think, Science Daily