Treatment of Tattoos by Q-Switched Ruby Laser: A Dose-Response Study

Charles R. Taylor; R. William Gange; Jeffrey S. Dover; Thomas J. Flotte; Ernesto Gonzalez; Norman Michaud; R. Rox Anderson

doi:10.1001/archderm.1990.01670310055007

Treatment of Tattoos by Q-Switched Ruby Laser: A Dose-Response Study

Charles R. Taylor, R. William Gange, Jeffrey S. Dover, Thomas J. Flotte, Ernesto Gonzalez, Norman Michaud, R. Rox Anderson

Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

168 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tattoo treatment with Q-switched ruby laser pulses (694 nm, 40 to 80 nanoseconds) was studied by clinical assessment and light and electron microscopy. Fiftyseven 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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	893-899
Number of pages	7
Journal	Archives of Dermatology
Volume	126
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.1990.01670310055007
State	Published - Jul 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Dermatology

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10.1001/archderm.1990.01670310055007

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abstract = "Tattoo treatment with Q-switched ruby laser pulses (694 nm, 40 to 80 nanoseconds) was studied by clinical assessment and light and electron microscopy. Fiftyseven 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.",

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AU - Gange, R. William

AU - Dover, Jeffrey S.

AU - Flotte, Thomas J.

AU - Gonzalez, Ernesto

AU - Michaud, Norman

AU - Anderson, R. Rox

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Treatment of Tattoos by Q-Switched Ruby Laser: A Dose-Response Study

Abstract

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