Allergic Reactions to Tattoo Pigment after Laser Treatment

Abstract

The Q-switched ruby and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers target intracellular tattoo pigment, causing rapid thermal expansion that fragments pigment-containing cells and causes the pigment to become extracellular. This extracellular pigment is then recognized by the immune system as foreign.

Treatment of tattoo allergy with ablative fractional resurfacing: A novel paradigm for tattoo removal

“…8 However, there have also been several cases of generalized allergic reactions after laser treatment, presumably because of release of antigenic ink particles into systemic or lymphatic circulation after each treatment. 9,10 AFR uses laser microbeams to create an array of very small, deep zones of tissue removal with intervening areas of normal-appearing skin. 10 AFR stimulates rapid remodeling of the skin, as the microscopic zones of ablation are replaced with de novo skin, and has a very low risk of scarring.…”

Generalized eczematous reaction after fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy for tattoo allergy

“…Hypersensitivity reactions due to treatment with lasers acting by selective photothermolysis are caused by systemic uptake of antigenic pigment that is released extracellularly by fragmentation of pigment-containing macrophages and mast cells (2,4,6). Hypothetically, antigenic determinants may also be altered by the laser therapy itself.…”

Laser Treatment of Tattoos

“…[39][40][41][42][43][44] These tattoos include yellow (cadmium), red (mercury), blue (cobalt), and green (cadmium) inks. The localized skin reaction, which consists of erythema, pruritus, inflammatory nodules, and granulomas, are confined to the site of the red/yellow ink.…”