Laser tattoo removal in Thai students

Abstract

Summary Objective To review the results of laser tattoo removal in Thai students. Material and methods This is a retrospective review study of the students participating in our tattoo removal program at Srakaew Province, Thailand. The laser used was a 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (spot size: 3 mm, pulse duration: 6 ns, fluence: 3.5–7.5 J/cm2). A maximum of 5 laser treatments per student was performed at 2-month intervals. The data collected included age and sex of the students and information regarding the tattoos (time of tattoo existence, person who performed the tattoo procedure, method and price of tattooing, number of tattoo figures, complications during and after tattoo procedure including cleaning methods of tattoo needle) and the laser procedure (laser parameters, pain level during laser removal assessed by pain score sheet, treatment results, complications, side effects). Correlations were analyzed between the person who did the tattoo and complications after laser tattoo removal procedure, the age of tattoo and results of laser treatment and complications, and between the pain level and the time of EMLA® application. Results The 115 students involved were aged between 8 years 4 months and 19 years 11 months. The mean time of tattoo existence was 1.9 ± 1.2 years. The majority of the students were tattooed (1) by amateur practitioners and (2) by hand. The costs of tattoo procedure ranged between 0 and 118 Thai Bahts. Friends influenced the students in favor of tattooing, and both the home and school were popular places for the tattooing procedure to take place. Ankles and fingers were the most common sites for students’ tattoos. A clinical clearance of 76–100% was achieved in 75% of the treated tattoos. Observed side effects were mild to moderate. Textural changes, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring occurred in 41%, 3%, 3% and 17% of the cases, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between EMLA® application time and the pain score. There was also no correlation between the person who did the tattoo, or the age of tattoo to the complications or side effects after laser tattoo removal. Conclusion The students were influenced and had tattoos by persons familiar to them, mostly at places which they often attended, including temples and schools. The students were not primarily concerned about the social consequence of having tattoos. Laser tattoo removal by means of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser could clinically clear tattoos in 75% of the cases. However, there were side effects, such as hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation and scarring.