Korean J Dermatol.  2017 Dec;55(10):657-663.

Permanent Makeup Removal from Murine Skin Using 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG Laser and 694-nm Q-switched Ruby Laser: Comparing the Degree of Removal Following Irradiation at Different Time Points after Application

• Jung GH
• Kim HJ
• Kim JE
• Lee JS
• Park YL
• Whang KU
• Lee SY

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Q-switched lasers have made it possible to remove tattoos without leaving unsightly scars.
OBJECTIVE
Tobdetermine the optimal time for permanent makeup removal using Q-switched Nd:YAG and ruby lasers, we compared the degree of removal and associated histological changes following irradiation at different time points.
METHODS
Using black ink and a permanent makeup machine, we performed 108 separate permanent makeup applications on rat skin. The 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSNDL) and 694-nm Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) were used to irradiate the permanent makeup on the day of its application and also 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days later. We assessed changes in pigmentation over time at each irradiated site using Mexameter® measurements and skin biopsies.
RESULTS
The Mexameter® analysis demonstrated no significant differences in pigment removal among irradiations with QSNDL or QSRL on the day of permanent makeup application or at 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days later. Histological analysis demonstrated that permanent makeup pigment migrated from the epidermis to the superficial and mid dermis over time. QSNDL more effectively removed pigment throughout the epidermis and dermis compared to QSRL.
CONCLUSION
For maximum pigment removal efficacy, the melanin index results suggest that laser treatment should be performed on the day permanent makeup is applied. However, from the histological perspective, permanent makeup should be removed approximately 1 week later, at which point the crusts have peeled off and the wound repair process is almost complete. In this study, histological analysis suggested the superiority of treatment with QSNDL to that with QSRL.

Keyword

Permanent makeup; Q-switched lasers; Q-switched Nd:YAG laser; Q-switched ruby laser; Tattoo

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biopsy
Cicatrix
Dermis
Epidermis
Ink
Lasers, Solid-State*
Melanins
Pigmentation
Rats
Skin*
Wounds and Injuries
Melanins