Journal ArticleDOI
Cosmetic Tattoo Ink Darkening: A Complication of Q-Switched and Pulsed-Laser Treatment
R. Rox Anderson,Roy G. Geronemus,Suzanne L. Kilmer,William A. Farinelli,Richard E. Fitzpatrick +4 more
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TLDR
Although most tattoos are not darkened by laser treatment, short-pulsed lasers over a wide spectrum can cause immediate darkening of some tattoo inks, and patients are warned of the potential for irreversible cosmetic tattoo darkening.Abstract:
Background: High-energy, short-pulse lasers, eg, Q-switched lasers, emitting visible and near-infrared light have recently been developed for removing tattoos, with little risk of scarring. The mechanisms of action, and possible adverse effects other than scarring and hypopigmentation, are not fully understood. Observations: We describe five cases of pulsed-laser— induced, immediate, irreversible darkening of cosmetic, white, flesh (skin-color), and pink-red colored tattoos. Irreversible ink darkening can be an insidious complication, because immediate whitening of the skin temporarily obscures the subsequently impressive color change. Among these cases, irreversible ink darkening occurred with Q-switched ruby (694 nm), Q-switched neodymium (Nd):YAG (1064 nm/532 nm), and pulsed green dye (510 nm) lasers. Attempts to remove the darkened ink with further laser treatment failed in two cases, and surgical excision was necessary. In the other three cases, subsequent laser treatments successfully removed the darkened ink. The red cosmetic tattoo ink used in one of the cases was placed in agar in vitro and was converted to a black compound immediately on Q-switched ruby laser exposure. Ferric oxide, a brown-red ingredient commonly used in cosmetic tattoos, was similarly tested and blackened in vitro by Q-switched ruby laser exposures. Conclusions: Although most tattoos are not darkened by laser treatment, short-pulsed lasers over a wide spectrum can cause immediate darkening of some tattoo inks. Patients should be warned of the potential for irreversible cosmetic tattoo darkening, and test-site exposures should be performed prior to treatment. In some cases, subsequent laser treatments may remove the blackened ink. The mechanism probably involves, at least for some tattoos, reduction of ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 , "rust") to ferrous oxide (FeO, jet black), but the chemical reaction that is involved remains unknown. ( Arch Dermatol. 1993;129:1010-1014)read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Survey and mechanism of skin depigmenting and lightening agents.
Shoukat Parvez,Moonkyu Kang,Hwan Suck Chung,Chongwoon Cho,Moo Chang Hong,Min Kyu Shin,Hyunsu Bae +6 more
TL;DR: The type and amount of melanin synthesized by the melanocyte, and its distribution pattern in the surrounding keratinocytes, determines the actual color of the skin.
Journal ArticleDOI
Lasers in dermatology: four decades of progress.
TL;DR: In this review, the currently available laser systems with cutaneous applications are outlined, with primary focus placed on recent advancements and modifications in laser technology that have greatly expanded the cutaneous laser surgeon's armamentarium and improved overall treatment efficacy and safety.
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Lasers in dermatology
TL;DR: Extensive research has provided a greater understanding of the skin's clinical and histologic response to laser treatment that has allowed dermatologists to expand their therapeutic options and techniques and to improve clinical outcome.
Journal Article
In vitro quantitative chemical analysis of tattoo pigments.
TL;DR: The composition of elements in tattoo inks varies greatly, even among like-colored pigments, and knowledge of the chemical composition of popular tattoo inKS might aid the clinician in effective laser removal.
Journal ArticleDOI
Q-switch laser and tattoo pigments: first results of the chemical and photophysical analysis of 41 compounds.
Wolfgang Bäumler,Ernst Eibler,Ulrich Hohenleutner,Benno Sens,Jürgen Sauer,Michael Landthaler +5 more
TL;DR: The efficacy of the treatment by using light of different Q‐switched lasers is correlated to both the chemical structure of the tattooed compounds yielding specific absorption spectra and the laser wavelength used.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation
R. Rox Anderson,John A. Parrish +1 more
TL;DR: Hemodynamic, histological, and ultrastructural responses are discussed and a simple, predictive model is presented, showing selective damage to cutaneous microvessels and melanosomes within melanocytes after selectively absorbed optical radiation pulses.
Journal ArticleDOI
Selective photothermolysis of cutaneous pigmentation by Q-switched Nd: YAG laser pulses at 1064, 532, and 355 nm.
R. Rox Anderson,Randall J. Margolis,Shinichi Watenabe,Thomas J. Flotte,George J. Hruza,Jeffrey S. Dover +5 more
TL;DR: The action spectrum for threshold response was consistent with mechanisms implied by selective photothermolysis, and may be useful for consideration of treatment for cutaneous pigmentation abnormalities or unwanted follicular pigmentation, or both.
Journal ArticleDOI
Treatment of Tattoos by Q-Switched Ruby Laser: A Dose-Response Study
Charles R. Taylor,Richard W. Gange,Jeffrey S. Dover,Thomas J. Flotte,Ernesto Gonzalez,Norman Michaud,R. Rox Anderson +6 more
TL;DR: Tattoo treatment with Q-switched ruby laser pulses was studied by clinical assessment and light and electron microscopy and clinicohistologic correlation was poor.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser effectively treats tattoos : a controlled, dose-response study
TL;DR: The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) effectively treats black tattoos with an excellent cosmetic outcome and higher doses were more effective and equally well tolerated.
Journal ArticleDOI
Light and Electron Microscopic Analysis of Tattoos Treated by Q-Switched Ruby Laser
TL;DR: The physial alteration of pigment granules, redistribution, and elimination appear to account for clinical lightening of the tattoos, confirming that short-pulse radiation can be used to selectively disrupt cells containing tattoo pigments.
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