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 / 대한피부과학회지

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.

Permanent Makeup Removal from Murine Skin Using a 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG Laser: Comparison of the Degree of Removal When Irradiated at Various Time Points after Application / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Various Q-switched (QS) lasers, such as ruby, alexandrite or neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) lasers, are used to remove tattoos and permanent makeup. To our knowledge, there has been no indication or guideline published for the optimal time for laser-mediated tattoo removal. OBJECTIVE: To set a guideline for the optimal irradiation time for tattoo and permanent makeup removal via 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG (QSND) laser, we compared the degree of tattoo removal and skin histologic changes when the irradiation was employed at different time points. METHODS: Rat skin was marked with 54 artificial permanent makeup marks with black ink using a permanent makeup machine. The marks were irradiated with a 1064 nm QSND laser on the application day, and 3 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after application. Pigmentation changes were checked over time using a Mexameter(R) and skin biopsy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the degree of pigment removal as examined by Mexameter(R) on the day of makeup application compared to 3 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after application. Histopathologically, the permanent makeup pigments seemed to move from epidermis to superficial and mid dermis with time. The pigments were relatively well removed throughout the epidermis and dermis when the laser was employed 7 days after tattoo application, compared to laser irradiation on the day of application, as viewed histologically. CONCLUSION: Laser removal of permanent makeup is effective on the day of application, as determined by testing pigment levels. However, based on histopathology, it is recommended to use lasers to remove permanent makeup about a week after application, since the wound repair process is almost complete at that time.