Lasers treatment for traumatic facial tattoo

Effective treatment for traumatic tattoo is lacking. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety between Q-1064 nm laser as monotherapy and alternating Q-1064 nm laser with CO₂ AFL in treating traumatic facial tattoo (black or blue color) and accompanied scars. Clinical data of 98 patients were grouped and analyzed based on the different treatment lasers. Tattoo clearance was evaluated with a 4-point scale, and scar improvement was analyzed with modified VOSAS scores. Patient satisfaction of the tattoo clearance and scar improvement, and treatment-related complications were analyzed. Significant increased clinical effects with patient satisfaction and decreased worsened scar were confirmed with the two alternated lasers, relative to those with Q-1064 nm laser alone (P < 0.05). Consequently, alternating Q-1064 nm laser and CO₂ AFL treatment could be used for traumatic facial tattoo with black or blue color removal safely and effectively.