[Destruction of tattoo by ruby laser].

The originality of tattoo destruction by ruby laser is to selectively treat the tattooed areas without injuring the surrounding normal cells, in order to obtain better healing. Therefore, we selected a red laser (ruby, emitting at 694.3 nm), with very short flashes (100 ns with self Q switched ruby laser). Ruby laser spots of about 1 cm diameter are delivered to on the area to be treated. As the black particles of the tattoo absorb more laser energy than the surrounding pale-pink skin (140 Mw/cm2, i.e. 14 j/cm2), we can obtain quite localized destruction and better healing. The beam is focussed on one point of the tattoo with a sighting neon-helium laser. In view of the very short impact, the energy absorbed by the pigmented particles diffuses minimally to adjacent tissues. After the crust falls, carrying away some tattoo pigment on its deeper surface, a pale-pink scar forms, then gradually fades in several months. With thick tattoos, it is necessary to proceed in layers and to plan a course of several treatments about one month apart. Compared with the other methods of tattoo removal (dermabrasion, salt, CO2 laser), ruby laser gives the best cosmetic results, even in keloid prone areas.