Dosimetry of a Carbon Dioxide Laser for Black Tattoo Removal in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal parameters of power, energy, and time for the application of a carbon dioxide laser for Tribal Black ink tattoo removal.

BACKGROUND DATA: The use of antiquated techniques to remove tattoos demonstrates the difficulty of making advances in this field. Studies by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery have shown that 5% of the global population has at least one tattoo on the body, with 10% of them wanting a tattoo to be removed. Laser removal has been studied and improved as a less invasive and safer method of surgical removal; however, the ideal dosimetry is not yet established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three male Wistar rats were anesthetized and tattooed in the dorsal region in a quadrangular manner. The rats were distributed under low/null luminosity for 4 months into three equal and random groups for the application of the laser, namely, G1 (P = 0.6 W, Et = 0.9 J), G2 (P = 0.8 W, Et = 1, 2 J), and G3 (P = 1 W, Et = 1.5 J), with the application time standardized to 0.15 sec with 10 passes per application. The procedure was repeated at intervals of 4 weeks until 10 cycles of laser application were completed. The images were studied using the ImageJ program and histological analysis and subjected to the one-way ANOVA test for Tukey's multiple comparison post-test.

RESULTS: We observed a significant difference between groups 1 and 3 and between groups 2 and 3.

CONCLUSIONS: The laser with the parameters of P = 1 W, Et = 1.5 J, and t = 0.15 sec yields better Tribal Black ink removal results.