title: Rapid response of traumatic and medical tattoos to treatment with the Q-switched ruby laser.
abstract: Traumatic tattoos can be very difficult to remove. Excision is often not possible because of the extent of the tattoo, and dermabrasion may not be able to reach the area of pigment without significant scarring. Six patients with traumatic (n = 5) or medical (n = 11) tattoos were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser with complete or nearly complete resolution after one to six treatments without cutaneous scarring or permanent pigmentary alteration.
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, N.Y.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ashinoff
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Geronemus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D013653:Tattooing