Fractional CO ₂ laser is as effective as Q-switched ruby laser for the initial treatment of a traumatic tattoo

Abstract

In the initial stage of removing the traumatic tattoo, the ablative fractional laser treatment appeared to be as effective as the standard ruby laser therapy. However, from the 6th treatment onward, the ruby laser therapy was more effective. Although ablative fractional CO2 lasers have the potential to remove traumatic tattoos, they remain a second-line treatment option.

Laser tattoo removal: A clinical update

“…Non-ablative or ablative fractional resurfacing has been reported to be effective for tattoo removal, either when combined with QS ruby laser treatment or as monotherapy. [ 33 34 ] It appears to enhance pigment clearance, prevent blistering, shorten recovery and diminish treatment-induced hypopigmentation. [ 33 ] It has also been reported to be effective for the treatment of traumatic, allergic, and multicolored tattoos.…”

“…[ 33 ] It has also been reported to be effective for the treatment of traumatic, allergic, and multicolored tattoos. [ 34 35 ] Animal models with cosmetic tattoos treated with non-ablative and ablative fractional lasers have demonstrated tattoo pigments in the microscopic coagulation zones migrating to the epidermis and becoming part of the microscopic exudative necrotic debris that can be exfoliated after 5 days. [ 36 37 ] Such fractional resurfacing can be combined with the traditional QS lasers for a synergistic effect.…”

Laser Treatment of Accidental Tattoos: Experience at a Tertiary Referral Center

“…On the other hand, laser therapy is able to remove the disturbing hyperpigmentation due to the principle of selective photothermolysis gently and without scarring [8][9][10][11]. Thus, it represents the first choice of treatment for accidental tattoos [5,[12][13][14][15][16]. The quality-switched (QS) nanosecond and picosecond alexandrite (755 nm), the QS Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) and the QS ruby laser (694 nm) present the most popular devices for hyperpigmented lesions.…”

Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser for cosmetic tattoo removal

“…In the case of resistant tattoos, a preoperative single passage with fractional CO 2 laser showed to be effective in obtaining complete tattoo removal: fractional laser, in fact, is able to create multiple channels in the skin inducing an ink clearing with necrotic debris (Shah and Aurangabadkar, 2015;Sardana, Garg, Bansal, & Goel, 2013). Moreover, the epithelial and dermal restructuring reduced the risk of scar formation and pigmentary alteration (Sardana, Ranjan, Kochhar, Mahajan, & Garg, 2015;Seitz, Grunewald, Wagner, Simon, & Paasch, 2014).…”