title: Treatment of tattoos by Q-switched ruby laser. A dose-response study.
abstract: Tattoo treatment with Q-switched ruby laser pulses (694 nm, 40 to 80 nanoseconds) was studied by clinical assessment and light and electron microscopy. Fifty-seven blue-black tattoos or portions thereof (35 amateur and 22 professional) were irradiated with 1.5 to 8.0 J/cm2 at a mean interval of 3 weeks. Substantial lightening or total clearing occurred in 18 (78%) of 23 amateur tattoos and 3 (23%) of 13 professional tattoos in which the protocol was completed. Response was related to exposure dose. Scarring occurred in one case, and persistent confettilike hypopigmentation was frequent. Optimal fluence was 4 to 8 J/cm2. Clinicohistologic correlation was poor. Q-switched ruby laser pulses can provide an effective treatment for tattoos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gange
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dover
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Flotte
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Michaud
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013653:Tattooing