title: Successful treatment of cosmetic mucosal tattoos via Q-switched laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tattoo removal using Q-switched lasers is well established in the medical literature, but it is not clear how tattoos on mucosal membranes should be treated because of their infrequent presentation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report successful cosmetic tattoo removal using Q-switched laser irradiation on the oral mucosal surface.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three men with cosmetic tattoos on the orolabial mucosa of the lower lip sought permanent removal. Each patient received treatments using a Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to the desired endpoint.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of the affected area with the Nd:YAG laser resulted in clearing of the pigment without scarring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Q-switched laser treatment is a safe and very effective means of removing cosmetic mucosal tattoos on the inner lip and should be considered the criterion standard treatment option.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Tattoff Inc., Beverly Hills, California 90211, USA. drwillkirby@hotmail.com
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Alpesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Tejas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Desai
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D013653:Tattooing