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Effective treatment of traumatic tattoos with a Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser
Author(s) -
Troilius Agneta M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1998)22:2<103::aid-lsm6>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - laser , medicine , laser therapy , dermatology , materials science , surgery , optics , physics
Background and Objective It is well known that the Q‐switched Nd:Yag (QSNd:YAG) laser works well in the treatment of blue‐black tattoos and benign pigmented lesions. It is less well known that this laser can also treat traumatic tattoos after accidents. Materials and Methods Twelve patients with traumatic tattoos were treated with a QSNd:YAG laser, 1064 nm. Results Gravel, mascara, high explosives, and older tattoos responded best with total clearance after 2–5 treatments. Hard materials such as asphalt, amalgam, and metal needed 6–11 treatments, and there was not always complete clearance. Transcient hypopigmentation but no scarring was seen. Conclusion QSNd:YAG laser treatment of traumatic tattoos is effective, atraumatic, and a good alternative to mechanical dermabrasion or other conventional therapies. Lasers Surg. Med. 22:103–108, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.