A STUDY TO EVALUATE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF Q SWITCHED ND:YAG LASER IN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL TATTOO REMOVAL

Introduction: Tattooing has gain popularity since ancient time and has become increasingly popular, particularly among young people. Advances in Laser and Light based technology have revolutionized tattoo removal, using various wavelength to target various tattoo color pigments and lesser complications. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is considered the standard device of choice for laser tattoo removal.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Q switched ND YAG laser in amateur and professional tattoo removal.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional single centre study carried out in dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in western India. Total 44 patients over the period of 18 months with red, green, blue or black colour tattoo according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled.

Results: Most common age group in our study was 21-30 years (61.4%). Amateur tattoo 34 (77.3%) were much more than professional tattoo 10 (22.7%). Blue-black tattoo (93.2%) was more common than red-green (6.8%) colour tattoo. Most common reason for tattoo removal was found to be Army/ Police recruitment in 31 (70.5%) patients. In amateur tattoo at end of 10th session 93.34% had excellent to clear response while in professional tattoo it was only 20%.

Conclusion: Amateur tattoos generally require six or more sessions and professional tattoos may need ten or more sessions.