An experimental study about treatment inverval of tatto treated by Q-switched ND: Yag laser in rabbits.

Lee, Hey Sung; Park, Ro Hyuk; Jang, Hyo Jook; Hong, In Pyo; Kim, Jong Hwan; Lee, Se Il

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 1998;25(1):46-53.
Published online January 1, 1998.

An experimental study about treatment inverval of tatto treated by Q-switched ND: Yag laser in rabbits.

Hey Sung Lee, Ro Hyuk Park, Hyo Jook Jang, In Pyo Hong, Jong Hwan Kim, Se Il Lee

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Medical center.
²Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Inha University.

Abstract

Until the recent development of the Q-switched lasers, it was not possible to remove tattoos without permanent scarring and pigmentary changes. Among the Q-switched lasers which was introduced under the concept of selective photothermolysis, Q-switched Nd-YAG laser has a longer wave(1064nm), deeper penetration, and lesser pigmentary change of skin than other type Q-switched laser. So, proved effectivity in removing pigmented lesion and tattoos without scarring and pigmentary changes. But repeated treatment is essential for a good result and than there is no agreement on the treatment interval in using Q-switched Nd-YAG laser. In this experiment, the author tattooed on the back skin of rabbits and treated them twice using Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in 5 groups of different treatment interval(1,2,4,6,8 weeks). The authors analysed the histology and final therapeutic results of the 5 groups to find a reasonable and shorter treatment interval by which we can obtain an effective therapeutic result without causing permanent tissue injury and change of the skin texture. The result shows that the 4 week treatment interval of Q-switched Nd-YAG laser for the tattoo removal in rabbits is the shortest term by which we can get effective therapeutic results without permanent scar and pigmentary changes.

Keywords: Q-switched Nd-YAG laser; Treatment interval; Artificial tattoos