Topical imiquimod as an adjuvant to laser removal of mature tattoos in an animal model.
BACKGROUND
Lasers are a commonly employed method of tattoo removal; however, numerous treatments are often needed and laser treatment may fail to eliminate the tattoo completely. It has been shown in animal studies that topical application of imiquimod cream, alone, fades tattoos. It is suspected that the combination of both imiquimod and laser treatment will result in enhanced tattoo pigment clearance.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of topical imiquimod cream as an adjuvant to laser removal of mature tattoos.


METHODS
Fourteen albino guinea pigs were tattooed with black ink, then randomly assigned into two groups: one underwent sequential laser treatments with a Q-switched alexandrite laser in conjunction with triweekly applications of 5% imiquimod cream, while the other group underwent laser therapy alone. Subjects were evaluated with clinical photographs and skin biopsies after six laser treatment sessions.


RESULTS
The combination laser and imiquimod treated group was clinically and histologically rated as having less pigment than the tattoos that were treated with laser alone (p=.012 and p=.047, respectively). Adjuvant imiquimod treatment had greater inflammation (p=.002) and fibrosis (p=.002) on posttreatment skin biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
Imiquimod appears to be a useful adjuvant to experimental laser tattoo removal in guinea pigs.
Ramirez
Mark
M
Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. maaramir@utmb.edu
Magee
Norma
N
Diven
Dayna
D
Colome-Grimmer
Maria
M
Motamedi
Massoud
M
Oliveira
Gisele
G
Zamora
Jesus G
JG
Uchida
Tatsuo
T
Wagner
Richard F
RF
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D013653:Tattooing
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D000077271:Imiquimod