Cosmetic tattoo refractive to Q-switched alexandrite laser.
BACKGROUND
Lip tattooing is a common cosmetic technique not exempt from certain risks and which may lead an unsatisfied customer to seek tattoo elimination.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical outcome of a patient with a brownish-colored cosmetic lip tattoo after treatment with the Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL).


METHODS
Two sites were tested using the pigment lesion dye laser (PLDL) and QSAL. The patient received 10 monthly sessions with QSAL, with an average fluence of 6.925 J/cm2. The double and triple shot technique was applied.


RESULTS
The brownish pigmentation turned black after the PLDL and QSAL tests. Epidermal splattering and bleeding made a fluence increase with QSAL inadvisable. Treatment was unsuccessful.


CONCLUSIONS
PLDL and QSAL may induce a photochemical alteration in brownish pigment. Factors that may contribute to the poor response of a cosmetic lip tattoo to QSAL treatment are related to pigment characteristics and laser parameters.
Moreno-Arias
G A
GA
Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Catalonia, 08190 Sant Cugat del Vallés, Spain. gmoreno@medicina.ub.es
Camps-Fresneda
A
A
D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008046:Lip; D008875:Middle Aged; D013653:Tattooing