Early treatment of traumatic tattoo by erbium-YAG laser

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Sir, Traumatic tattoos result from mechanical penetration of the skin by foreign particles; explosive traumatic tattoos mostly result from the forceful impregnation of gunpowder granules commonly caused by accidents involving fireworks, firearms and homemade bombs. Regardless of the aetiology, the final result is an irregular pattern of black or blue blemishes, depending on the depth of embedding. These particles, once well embedded, are extremely difficult to remove completely. Immediate complete removal of foreign particles during the initial care of the wounds, between 1 and 20 days after the accident, is the best treatment.1,2 Techniques such as surgical excision, dermabrasion and chemical treatments have been tried. More recently, lasers have been used for the treatment of different kinds of tattoos. The carbon dioxide and argon lasers used initially are associated with a risk of scarring.3,4 More selective lasers such as the Q‐switched ruby,3 Q‐switched Nd:YAG4 and Q‐switched alexandrite lasers5,6 reduced the risk of scars or permanent pigmentary disorders.