Abstract
Tattoo removal is a well-established procedure in dermatology. Lasers represent the gold standard in the management of this condition nowadays. In this study, we report our experience on the use of a Q-switched nanosecond source. A total of 52 patients were consecutively enrolled in performing tattoo removal at Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro and Tor Vergata University of Rome. Black and blue tattoos were treated with a 1064 nm laser, with a pulse duration of 6 ns and a fluence up to 10 J/cm2, while colored tattoos were treated with sessions of 532 nm laser, with a pulse duration of 6 ns and a fluence up to 5 J/cm2. Up to nine treatments with a minimum interval of 8 weeks between each session were performed. A six-month follow-up visit assessed patient satisfaction (Visual Analogue Scale). Overall clinical result was assessed with a clinical evaluation by two blinded dermatologists using a 5-point scale, comparing pictures before treatment and at follow up. A total of 52 patients were included and analyzed: 30 females (57.7%) and 22 males (42.3%). Mean age was 43.7 ± 12.7 years. According to Fitzpatrick’s skin classification, 16 individuals (30.8%) were type II, 15 (28.8%) were type III, and 21 (40.4%) were type IV. Most of the treated tattoos were carried out by professionals. The mean number of sessions required to obtain a result was 4.6 ± 2.5, and the final tattoo removal rate was 60% or higher, with 51.9% of the patients reporting highest satisfaction scores Q-Switched 1064/532 nm laser may be considered today as the gold-standard treatment for tattoo removal. Our results confirm literature findings of the safety and effectiveness of these devices.
Highlights
Tattooing, which involves creating a permanent skin pigmentation, has become a common phenomenon and a sign of individualism [1]
This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of tattoo removal by using a Q-Switched 1064/532 nm laser treatment using a nanosecond pulse range
Patients included in the study were treated with a Q-Switched 1064/532 nm laser system (SmartPico©, Deka M.E.L.A., Calenzano, Italy), which provides ultrashort pulses to achieve selective photothermolysis of the target with minimum thermal damage to surrounding biological structures
Summary
Tattooing, which involves creating a permanent skin pigmentation, has become a common phenomenon and a sign of individualism [1]. Various lasers have been proposed to manage this condition. Ablative lasers, such as CO2 lasers, are used [4]. This kind of laser induces superficial tissue destruction, risk of scarring and hypopigmentation in tattoo treatment is very high [5,6]. For this reason, lasers selectively acting on specific chromophores, such as melanin or hemoglobin, have been proposed
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