title: Treatment of tattoo allergy with ablative fractional resurfacing: a novel paradigm for tattoo removal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Q-switched lasers are the gold standard for tattoo treatment. Allergic tattoo reactions present a treatment dilemma. We present the application of ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) as a novel method for tattoo removal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe two patients with tattoo allergies, referred to us for treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  AFR was used in a series of treatments to remove the allergic-ink portion of a multicolored tattoo on the upper extremity of a 52-year-old man. In a 31-year-old woman with a red and black tattoo on her lower extremity, AFR was combined with a Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a series of treatments, both patients experienced significant to complete removal of the offending tattoo inks with substantial or complete resolution of their symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This uncontrolled observational series is based on two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AFR appears to be safe and effective for removal of allergic tattoos. AFR can be combined with other treatments such as Q-switched lasers. The potential for a series of AFR treatments to remove tattoos, including allergic tattoos and inks of any color, merits further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. omar.ibrahimi@gmail.com
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ibrahimi
authors.forename: Zain
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: Fernanda H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Mathew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Avram
authors.forename: R Rox
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003116:Color; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents