title: Tattoo formation from absorbable synthetic suture and successful removal with Q-switched ruby laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traumatic tattoos result from accidental or unintentional deposition of exogenous pigment within injured skin. Pigments may consist of heavy metals, vegetable matter, or commercial dyes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The clinical and histologic description of a traumatic tattoo resulting from a surgical procedure using undyed, braided, synthetic, absorbable suture material and its removal with the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm, 28 nsec).
  
  
  METHODS
  The pigmented linear lesion was biopsied and processed using standard histological methods. Subsequently, the area was treated on two occasions with the Q-switched ruby laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pigmented lesion was completely removed with the Q-switched laser treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report on the occurrence of a traumatic tattoo resulting from synthetic suture material and complete removal with the Q-switched ruby laser.
authors.affiliation: Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Palaia
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bank
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Geronemus
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013653:Tattooing