Tattoo Removal With an Electro-optic Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser With Unique Pulse Dispersion

摘要

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an electro-optic Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with standard pulse and pulse dispersion options for the treatment of unwanted tattoos. Statistics released in 2002 from the American Society of Dermatological Surgery suggested that 50% of individuals receiving tattoos at that time would want them removed in 5 years. The growing demand for effective tattoo removal without scars, pigmentation issues, or textural changes has fueled the search for alternatives to dermabrasion, cryotherapy, surgical excision, CO_2 or argon laser treatment, and other superficial and nonspecific destructive methods of the past. Studies with ruby lasers in the 1960s were early milestones in the use of light-based therapy for the clearance of tattoo ink. In the succeeding 30 years, the Q-switched ruby, Nd:YAG, and alexandrite lasers would all prove the usefulness of the theory of selective photothermolysis in this area. Advances in Q-switched laser technology continue to provide increasingly effective methods for tattoo removal, addressing the need for low-risk, practical solutions to the problems presented by unwanted professional, amateur, traumatic, and cosmetic tattoos.