Efficacy and safety of Q-Switched Nd : Yag laser in tattoo removal at tertiary care center in Gujarat

Abstract

Tattooing has been practiced for at least two thousand years. Much effort has been exerted in attempting to make tattoos brighter, more colourful and stable. In the present, it is believed that laser therapy is the best method in cosmetic terms of tattoo removal. Aims: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of Q switched ND YAG laser in tattoo removal. Materials and Methods: This was a "randomized, prospective, interventional" single centre study carried out in dermatology outpatient department of GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, a tertiary care teaching hospital in western India. Total 89 patients with tattoo of red, green, blue and black colour in scripted on different parts of their body according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled for a period of 1 year and 5 months (January 2016-May 2017) in our study. Results: Majority of the participants (58.5%) were from 21-25 years of age group. Mean age of participants was found out to be 21.9 years. Amature tattoo 63(70.8%) were outnumbered then professional tattoo 26(29.2%). Blue-black tattoo (92.1%) was more common than red-green (7.9%) colour tattoo. Most common reason for tattooing was fashion (69.7%). More than three fourth participants (78.7%) needed ≥ 6 sittings for tattoo removal. In 13.5% participants, it was ≥10 sittings while in others (7.8%) it was 3-5 sittings. Conclusion: Excellent response was seen in amature tattoo group as comparison to professional tattoo group and almost all of the study participants were either satisfied or very satisfied. Only minor adverse reactions were reported after tattoo removal.