Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos
Background: Q-switched neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm primarily targets dermal melanin and black tattoo ink. Recent studies have shown that this laser is effective in treating black tattoos. There are few studies conducted in India for the same. Aim: Th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Dermatology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2015;volume=60;issue=6;spage=578;epage=583;aulast=Lakshmi |
| _version_ | 1818062222221377536 |
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| author | Chembolli Lakshmi Gayathri Krishnaswamy |
| author_facet | Chembolli Lakshmi Gayathri Krishnaswamy |
| author_sort | Chembolli Lakshmi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Q-switched neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm primarily targets dermal melanin and black tattoo ink. Recent studies have shown that this laser is effective in treating black tattoos. There are few studies conducted in India for the same. Aim: The aim was to assess the effectiveness of Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (QSNYL) in the treatment of blue-black tattoos following 3 treatment sessions. Materials and Methods: This study, a prospective interventional study included a total of 12 blue-black tattoos. Following informed consent for the procedure, as well as for photographs, a questionnaire was administered, and improvement perceived by the patient was recorded. In addition, global assessment score (GAS) by a blinded physician was also recorded. Photographs were taken at baseline and at every follow-up. Each patient underwent three treatment sessions with 1064 nm QSNYL at 4-6 weekly intervals. Fluences ranged from 1.8 to 9 J/cm 2 . The follow-up was done monthly for 4 months from the first treatment session. The response was assessed by patient assessment (PA) and GAS by comparing photographs. Results: After three treatment sessions, although no patient achieved clearance, most patients showed good response with few adverse effects. An average of 64.1% (GAS) and 54.2% (PA) improvement was observed in 12 tattoos. Tattoos more than 10-year-old showed quicker clearing than those less than 10-year-old. Amateur tattoos also showed a better response in comparison to professional tattoos. Conclusion: Totally, 1064 nm QSNYL is safe and effective for lightening blue-black tattoos in pigmented Indian skin. All patients achieved near complete clearance following the continuation of treatment (an average of six sessions) although this was spaced at longer intervals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T14:00:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-99da6f9fc568405b8b7957c2acdf069a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0019-5154 1998-3611 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T14:00:46Z |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Dermatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-99da6f9fc568405b8b7957c2acdf069a2022-12-22T01:45:48ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Dermatology0019-51541998-36112015-01-0160657858310.4103/0019-5154.169129Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoosChembolli LakshmiGayathri KrishnaswamyBackground: Q-switched neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm primarily targets dermal melanin and black tattoo ink. Recent studies have shown that this laser is effective in treating black tattoos. There are few studies conducted in India for the same. Aim: The aim was to assess the effectiveness of Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (QSNYL) in the treatment of blue-black tattoos following 3 treatment sessions. Materials and Methods: This study, a prospective interventional study included a total of 12 blue-black tattoos. Following informed consent for the procedure, as well as for photographs, a questionnaire was administered, and improvement perceived by the patient was recorded. In addition, global assessment score (GAS) by a blinded physician was also recorded. Photographs were taken at baseline and at every follow-up. Each patient underwent three treatment sessions with 1064 nm QSNYL at 4-6 weekly intervals. Fluences ranged from 1.8 to 9 J/cm 2 . The follow-up was done monthly for 4 months from the first treatment session. The response was assessed by patient assessment (PA) and GAS by comparing photographs. Results: After three treatment sessions, although no patient achieved clearance, most patients showed good response with few adverse effects. An average of 64.1% (GAS) and 54.2% (PA) improvement was observed in 12 tattoos. Tattoos more than 10-year-old showed quicker clearing than those less than 10-year-old. Amateur tattoos also showed a better response in comparison to professional tattoos. Conclusion: Totally, 1064 nm QSNYL is safe and effective for lightening blue-black tattoos in pigmented Indian skin. All patients achieved near complete clearance following the continuation of treatment (an average of six sessions) although this was spaced at longer intervals.http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2015;volume=60;issue=6;spage=578;epage=583;aulast=LakshmiBlue-black tattoospigmented skinQ-switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser |
| spellingShingle | Chembolli Lakshmi Gayathri Krishnaswamy Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos Indian Journal of Dermatology Blue-black tattoos pigmented skin Q-switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser |
| title | Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos |
| title_full | Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos |
| title_short | Efficacy of the q-switched neodymium: Yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue-black amateur and professional tattoos |
| title_sort | efficacy of the q switched neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of blue black amateur and professional tattoos |
| topic | Blue-black tattoos pigmented skin Q-switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser |
| url | http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2015;volume=60;issue=6;spage=578;epage=583;aulast=Lakshmi |
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