COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF TATTOO REMOVAL WITH SINGLE SESSION OF R20 TECHNIQUE AND CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Background: Most suitable devices for tattoo removal at present are Q-switched ruby, Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers. 1 These are the current gold standard for laser tattoo removal . But there are few limitations, such as long duration of treatment, large interval between sessions; side effects such as blistering, scarring and dyschromia. The current methods attempted to reduce the total number of sessions and total duration to achieve clearing of tattoos. R20 method of tattoo removal is based on principle of repeated exposure of laser light in a single session. Aim: 1) to compare lightning of tattoos with a single pass Q-switched laser treatment with 4 treatment passes separated by 20 minutes 2) To compare the Adverse effects between two methods Methods and Material: It included 50 patients and were divided in half and randomized. Half of them received single pass treatment with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser 1064 nm used at energy of 360 mJ. Other half received multipass treatment (each pass at 20 minutes interval with maximum of 4 pass). Tattoo lightening and adverse effects compared 1month later i.e. after single session. Results: 1 month later, treatment with the R20 method was much more effective than conventional single-pass laser treatment. With R20 method, 100% patients experienced immediate erythema and edema, 16% patient experienced blistering, crusting. No obvious Scarring/permanent pigmentary changes in any patient. >75% fading experienced by 18 patients after single session, 50-75% fading in 4 patients, 40% experienced transient hypopigmentation. With single pass technique, all patients experienced <50% fading. Conclusion: With R20 method the number of sessions required for tattoo removal is greatly reduced thus decreasing the number of visits. It is more effective but also safe in most of the patients. The disadvantages are one single session can take 3½ to 4 hours.