Successful treatment of a cosmetic tattoo using a combination of lasers.
BACKGROUND
Cosmetic tattoos are becoming more popular and are often composed of several colors. Tattoo pigments containing ferric oxide and titanium dioxide can change to a blue-black color after exposure to Q-switched lasers that can be permanent.


OBJECTIVE
Using a patient who presented with rouge tattoos on the cheeks as an example, we describe a useful approach to laser treatment of cosmetic tattoos.


METHODS
Test areas were done with the Q-switched Nd:YAG at both 532 and 1064 nm and with the pulsed-dye laser at 595 nm.


RESULTS
Although an immediate blue-black color change occurred after treatment with the Nd:YAG at 532 and 1064 nm, sequential treatments at 1064 nm produced a near complete clearance of the tattoos. The pulsed-dye laser was used to remove subtle pink tones.


CONCLUSIONS
Performing small test areas before complete treatment and using several laser wavelengths throughout the course of therapy are essential to the successful treatment of cosmetic tattoos.
Suchin
Karen Rebecca
KR
Skin and Laser Surgery Center of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, USA.
Greenbaum
Steven S
SS
D002610:Cheek; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects