A superior method of tattoo removal using the Q-switched ruby laser.

The Q-switched ruby laser was used to treat 101 amateur and 62 professional tattoos in 80 patients over a period of 22 months. Using a 5- to 8-mm spot size and energy fluences of 2-4 joules/cm2, an average of three retreatments resulted in complete pigment removal in four, nearly complete pigment removal in 84, significant pigment removal in 11, and minimal pigment removal in two amateur tattoos. Using identical parameters for professional tattoos, there was complete pigment removal in two, nearly complete pigment removal in five, significant pigment removal in 18, minimal pigment removal in 25, and very little pigment removal in 12. Professional tattoos with red, yellow, and green pigments faded, but required multiple retreatments. While transient hypopigmentation occurred in many patients, skin texture and hair growth returned to normal in all cases and no hypertrophic scarring was seen.