Egozi Dermatology and Aesthetic Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Alma Lasers Ltd., Caesarea, Israel.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Mar;23(3):818-823. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16201. Epub 2024 Feb 2.
With nearly 50% of the population in the United States, Italy, and Sweden tattooed with at least one tattoo, the demand for its removal has risen by 32% since 2011. Traditional removal methods, such as Q-switched (QS) laser-based tattoo removal, can be lengthy, requiring up to 20 sessions.
This study presents a retrospective clinical evaluation of seven short-pulsed QS, dual-wavelength Nd:YAG laser, as an efficient alternative, that can potentially reduce the number of sessions needed as calculated by a founded scale.
The QS modality delivers high-intensity pulses in four wavelengths, ideal for removing multicolored tattoos, of which two were used. We studied 11 patients who underwent 3-8 treatments (average 5.09) every 2-3 months. Each tattoo was assessed using the Kirby-Desai scale, considering the following factors: location, Fitzpatrick skin type, ink amount, layering, scarring, tissue changes, and tattoo color. Follow-ups were conducted after 6 months and at 4-5 years following last session.
The long-term follow-up presented a significantly higher tattoo removal efficiency than the short-term follow-up (p < 0.001), indicating a sustained process of ink breakdown and elimination. Notably, the actual number of treatments were significantly lower than that predicted by the Kirby-Desai scale (average 5.09 vs. 9.9, p < 0.001). No severe adverse events were reported.
In conclusion, the QS Nd:YAG laser offers a safe and effective alternative for tattoo removal, requiring fewer treatments than initially expected.
在美国、意大利和瑞典，近 50%的人口至少有一处纹身，因此自 2011 年以来，纹身去除的需求增长了 32%。传统的去除方法，如 Q-开关（QS）激光纹身去除，可能需要长达 20 次治疗。
本研究回顾性评估了七种短脉冲 QS、双波长 Nd：YAG 激光作为一种有效的替代方法，根据既定的评估标准，这种方法可能会减少所需的治疗次数。
QS 模式以四个波长提供高强度脉冲，非常适合去除多色纹身，其中两种波长被用于研究。我们研究了 11 名患者，他们接受了 3-8 次治疗（平均 5.09 次），每 2-3 个月一次。每个纹身都使用 Kirby-Desai 量表进行评估，考虑以下因素：位置、Fitzpatrick 皮肤类型、墨水用量、分层、疤痕、组织变化和纹身颜色。在治疗后 6 个月和最后一次治疗后 4-5 年进行随访。
长期随访显示出比短期随访更高的纹身去除效率（p<0.001），表明墨水分解和消除的持续过程。值得注意的是，实际治疗次数明显低于 Kirby-Desai 量表预测的次数（平均 5.09 次与 9.9 次，p<0.001）。未报告严重不良事件。
总之，QS Nd：YAG 激光为纹身去除提供了一种安全有效的替代方法，所需治疗次数少于预期。
