Treatment of tattoos by Q-switched ruby laser. A dose-response study

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Archives of Dermatology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.1990.01670310055007· OSTI ID:6867350

Taylor, C R; Gange, R W; Dover, J S; Flotte, T J; Gonzalez, E; Michaud, N; Anderson, R R ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (USA)

Tattoo treatment with Q-switched ruby laser pulses (694 nm, 40 to 80 nanoseconds) was studied by clinical assessment and light and electron microscopy. Fifty-seven blue-black tattoos or portions thereof (35 amateur and 22 professional) were irradiated with 1.5 to 8.0 J/cm2 at a mean interval of 3 weeks. Substantial lightening or total clearing occurred in 18 (78%) of 23 amateur tattoos and 3 (23%) of 13 professional tattoos in which the protocol was completed. Response was related to exposure dose. Scarring occurred in one case, and persistent confettilike hypopigmentation was frequent. Optimal fluence was 4 to 8 J/cm2. Clinicohistologic correlation was poor. Q-switched ruby laser pulses can provide an effective treatment for tattoos.

• OSTI ID: 6867350
• Journal Information: Archives of Dermatology; (USA), Vol. 126:7; ISSN 0003-987X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LASER RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
SKIN
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DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
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RUBY LASERS
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560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects