title: Topical imiquimod as an adjuvant to laser removal of mature tattoos in an animal model.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. maaramir@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: Dayna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diven
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colome-Grimmer
authors.forename: Massoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motamedi
authors.forename: Gisele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Jesus G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zamora
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D000077271:Imiquimod