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Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review

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An Erratum to this article was published on 14 December 2016

Abstract

Given that the pigment particles in tattoos have a relaxation time of <10 ns, picosecond lasers would be expected to be more effective than nanosecond lasers in tattoo removal. To systematically review the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of picosecond lasers for tattoo removal, Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists were searched for relevant trials. The primary outcome was >70 % clearance of tattoo pigment. Secondary outcomes were 90–100 % clearance of tattoo pigment, number of laser sessions required, and adverse effects. Eight trials were included, six with human participants (160 participants) and 2 with animal models. Seven of the eight trials explored the usage of either 755, 758, 795, 1064, or 1064/532-nm picosecond lasers for black and blue ink tattoos. In the human trials, 69–100 % of tattoos showed over 70 % clearance of pigment after 1–10 laser treatments. Reported side effects included pain, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, blister formation and transient erythema, edema, and pinpoint bleeding. Included articles varied in type of laser investigated, mostly non-comparative studies and with a medium to high risk of bias. There is sparse evidence that picosecond lasers are more effective than their nanosecond counterparts for mainly black and blue ink tattoo removal, with minor side effects.

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Acknowledgments

The review protocol was registered on the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42015023458).

The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Institutional review board approval was not required.

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Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, 39 Jabotinski St., Petach Tikva, Israel, 49100

      Ofer Reiter, Lihi Atzmony, Lehavit Akerman, Assi Levi, Ruben Kershenovich, Moshe Lapidoth & Daniel Mimouni

    2. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel

      Moshe Lapidoth & Daniel Mimouni

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    1. Ofer Reiter
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    2. Lihi Atzmony
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    Correspondence to Ofer Reiter.

    Additional information

    Moshe Lapidoth contributed equally to this work.

    An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-2130-5.

    Appendix PubMed search strategy

    Appendix PubMed search strategy

    Search phrase:

    ((“Lasers”[Mesh] OR lasers OR laser OR picosecond)) AND (tattoo OR tattoos)

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    Reiter, O., Atzmony, L., Akerman, L. et al. Picosecond lasers for tattoo removal: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci 31, 1397–1405 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-2001-0

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