Treatment of Traumatic Tattoos With the Q-Switched Neodymium:YAG Laser

BACKGROUND: Treatment for traumatic tattoos often results in incomplete removal of the pigment or produces unacceptable scars or textural changes. Successful results using Q-switched ruby lasers have been reported. The Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser, with a wavelength of 1064 nm and a pulse duration of 5 to 7 nanoseconds, penetrates deeper into the skin and has less interaction with melanin than the Q-switched ruby laser. OBSERVATIONS: The present study documents 32 cases of traumatic tattoos involving 51 sites of the face, trunk, and extremities in patients ranging in age from 6 to 58 years. All patients were treated with the Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser. Excellent results were noted for 50 of 51 treated tattoos. The number of treatments to achieve excellent results ranged from 1 to 6, with an average of 1.7. No scarring, atrophy, textural changes, or hypopigmentation was noted in any of the cases. Transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation of 3 months' duration was noted in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: The Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser was effective in removing traumatic tattoos without any significant side effects.