The Q-switched ruby and the Q-switched
neodymium YAG lasers are both widely used in the treatment of amateur and professional
tattoos. Comparative evaluation of these two
laser systems has not previously been performed; thus, the advantages of each
laser have not been delineated. Forty-eight amateur and professional
tattoos were treated with both the Q-switched ruby and Q-switched
Nd:YAG lasers. The
tattoos were divided in half and one side of the
tattoo was treated with each
laser. After one treatment, the patients returned for evaluation to assess the degree of lightening achieved by each
laser. The Q-switched
ruby laser was found to be superior in lightening black
dye in both professional and amateur
tattoos. A significant advantage was noted for the
ruby laser in the removal of green
tattoo pigment. The differences with the Q-switched
ruby laser and the 1064 nm option of the Q-switched
YAG laser were not clinically significant in the lightening or removal of other colors. The 532 nm option of the Q-switched
YAG laser was superior to the Q-switched ruby and the 1064 nm option of the
YAG laser in the removal of red
tattoo colors in professional
tattoos.
Hypopigmentation was found more commonly with the Q-switched
ruby laser, while textural change was noted more commonly with the Q-switched
Nd:YAG laser. One of the patients treated with the
Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm showed a
hypertrophic scar.