Treatment of traumatic tattoos by Q-switched ruby laser.

The Q-switched ruby laser is currently used in the treatment of amateur and professional decorative tattoos. The present study documents the clinical management and follow-up of 12 subjects with traumatic tattoos treated with the Q-switched ruby laser. The results of this study indicate that an excellent clinical outcome can be achieved with substantial removal of the targeted foreign pigmented matter while potential adverse effects are significantly reduced. Hypopigmentation, which occurred in four patients (33.3 percent), was temporary and resolved spontaneously in all subjects within 6 months of laser exposure. There was no hypertrophic scarring, atrophy, or induration seen in any of the subjects treated with the Q-switched ruby laser.