Removal of orange eyebrow tattoo in a single session with the Q-switched Nd:YAG 532-nm laser

Abstract

Dear Editor, We describe the clinical case of a 79-year-old woman, phototype I, who wanted to have removed an orange eyebrow tattoo that had been placed years previously (Fig. 1). After treating a test area, we treated the tattoo with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, 3 mm beam, mean fluence 2.5 J/ cm) in a single session. The procedure was well tolerated, and healing occurred within 2 weeks. Two months later the patient was re-examined and had no visible pigment (Fig. 1). The first procedures used in the removal of tattoos were classic surgery and cryosurgery [1]. However, these were associated with permanent side effects, particularly scarring and alopecia of pilose areas. The advent of laser therapy opened new perspectives in this field. Currently available laser include Q-switched Nd:YAG, alexandrite, ruby, pulsed dye green light and carbon dioxide laser. The absorption spectra of tattoo pigments are variable with some pigments reacting differently to the various devices. As a result, a combination of laser systems can be used sequentially to remove a single polychromatic tattoo [2]. Some pigments, such as green, sky blue and yellow, are more resistant to laser treatment [1]. Laser removal of eyebrow tattoos is a challenge due to the potential for damage to follicles. For this purpose, a Qswitched Nd:YAG laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm has been used to minimize absorption by the eyebrow hair. This is an excellent choice for removing black pigment, but it produces less satisfactory results with other pigments. Usually multiple treatments are necessary (four to six for