Ablative laser surgery for allergic tattoo reactions: a retrospective study

Abstract

Patients with allergic tattoo reactions are burdened with itch and have a reduced quality of life. Conservative treatment is often insufficient and little is known about treatment options to remove the responsible allergen. We aimed to address the effectiveness and safety of ablative laser therapy including measurement of patient’s satisfaction, in patients with allergic reactions to tattoos. A retrospective study was conducted including patients with allergic tattoo reactions who were treated with a 10,600 nm ablative CO2 laser, either by full-surface ablation or fractional ablation. Clinical information originated from medical files and a 25-item questionnaire. Sixteen tattoo allergy patients were treated with a CO2 laser between January 2010 and January 2018. Fourteen patients completed the questionnaire. Ten patients were satisfied with laser treatment. On a visual analogue scale, pruritus and burning improved with a median of 5.5 and 4 points in the full surface ablation group and 3 points on both parameters in the fractional ablation group. Despite the relatively small group of patients, our results suggest that CO2 laser ablation improves itching, burning and impact on daily life in tattoo allergy.

Effect of Laser-Induced Optical Breakdown on the Structure of Bsa Molecules in Aqueous Solutions: An Optical Study

“…These are microsurgical operations (in particular on the eye), removal of small tumors, operations that require selective exposure (pigment spots and other subcutaneous formations), recanalization of vessels, passages; the stopping of bleeding and operations on blood-saturated organs; and fabric welding. In laser surgery powerful lasers are used, and the radiation power density is sufficient for the removal, destruction, or thermal necrosis of cells, tissues, or other objects to be eliminated [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Tattoo Pigment Identification in Inks and Skin Biopsies of Adverse Reactions by Complementary Elemental and Molecular Bioimaging with Mass Spectral Library Matching

“…Of all tattoo complications, allergic reactions are the most frequent chronic tattoo reactions observed in the dermatologic practice. − Here, red tattoo pigments are involved in the vast majority of the cases. These reactions are characterized by chronic itch, pain, or swelling and may occur weeks or even years later. , Treatment is difficult as the tattoo pigments are permanently dermally located . The etiology is thought to be a delayed allergic reaction; however, its exact pathomechanism and allergens remain unknown and are difficult to identify due to a broad variety of pigments, byproducts, possible degradation products, and other impurities (e.g., Ni, Cr, and Co) in tattoo inks. ,, Even if the used ink is known, ingredient declarations were identified to be incomplete or inconsistent with analysis results.…”

“…These reactions are characterized by chronic itch, pain, or swelling and may occur weeks or even years later. , Treatment is difficult as the tattoo pigments are permanently dermally located . The etiology is thought to be a delayed allergic reaction; however, its exact pathomechanism and allergens remain unknown and are difficult to identify due to a broad variety of pigments, byproducts, possible degradation products, and other impurities (e.g., Ni, Cr, and Co) in tattoo inks. ,, Even if the used ink is known, ingredient declarations were identified to be incomplete or inconsistent with analysis results. Despite their use, prohibited pigments were often erased or replaced by legal alternatives. , Therefore, the analysis of tattoo inks and skin samples after an adverse reaction is necessary to identify culprit pigments or possible impurities.…”

“…22 The etiology is thought to be a delayed allergic reaction; however, its exact pathomechanism and allergens remain unknown and are difficult to identify due to a broad variety of pigments, byproducts, possible degradation products, and other impurities 23 (e.g., Ni, 24 Cr, and Co) in tattoo inks. 3,18,22 Even if the used ink is known, ingredient declarations were identified to be incomplete or inconsistent with analysis results. Despite their use, prohibited pigments were often erased or replaced by legal alternatives.…”

Treatment of a refractory allergic reaction to a red tattoo on the lips with methotrexate and Q-switched Nd-Yag laser

“…Treatment modalities that may be considered include full surface and fractional ablative CO 2 laser therapy, surgical excision, or dermatome shaving. 11 , 12 However, these therapies may lead to undesirable permanent scars, especially in permanent makeup. As an alternative, targeted treatment with a Q-switched nanosecond or picosecond laser at 532 nm (matching the red pigment chromophore) can be considered as a therapeutic option with a low scarring potential.…”