title: Effective treatment of traumatic tattoos with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is well known that the Q-switched Nd:Yag (QSNd:YAG) laser works well in the treatment of blue-black tattoos and benign pigmented lesions. It is less well known that this laser can also treat traumatic tattoos after accidents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with traumatic tattoos were treated with a QSNd:YAG laser, 1064 nm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gravel, mascara, high explosives, and older tattoos responded best with total clearance after 2-5 treatments. Hard materials such as asphalt, amalgam, and metal needed 6-11 treatments, and there was not always complete clearance. Transcient hypopigmentation but no scarring was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QSNd:YAG laser treatment of traumatic tattoos is effective, atraumatic, and a good alternative to mechanical dermabrasion or other conventional therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Malmoe, Sweden.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Troilius
mesh_terms: D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005107:Explosions; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin; D013653:Tattooing