Treatment of tattoos by Q-switched ruby laser. A dose-response study.
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.
Taylor
C R
CR
Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Gange
R W
RW
Dover
J S
JS
Flotte
T J
TJ
Gonzalez
E
E
Michaud
N
N
Anderson
R R
RR
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