S. Werner et al., Tattoo removal by Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm) and Q-switched Nd : YAG laser (532 and 1064 nm) - a retrospective study, HAUTARZT, 50(3), 1999, pp. 174-180
In a retrospective study 47 patients with 68 amateur and 25 professional ta
ttoos were examined, considering clearance of tattoo pigments and the frequ
ency of side effects after finished treatments with the Q-switched ruby (69
4 nm) and the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 and 1064 nm). Black amateur tatt
oos were found to lighten faster than professional tattoos (13,2 and 18,6 t
reatments respectively). For the clearance of multicolored tattoos (amateur
or professional), similar numbers of laser treatments were needed. Green p
igments were removed with the Q-switched ruby laser and red pigments with t
he frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm). Compared to the Q-switched Nd:Y
AG laser (1064 n m), the Q-switched ru by laser and the frequency-doubled N
d:YAG laser (532 nm) more often caused blistering and transient hypopigment
ation (5,4% and 7,5% vs. 1,1% (blisters); 8.6% and 15.1% vs. 4.3% (hypopigm
entation)).