RT Book, Section A1 Tannous, Zeina A1 Avram, Mathew M. A1 Tsao, Sandy A1 Avram, Marc R. SR Print(0) ID 1175823848 T1 Tattoo Removal T2 Color Atlas of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. PP New York, NY SN 9780071635035 LK dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1175823848 RD 2024/03/28 AB Tens of millions of Americans have tattoos. Over time, many decide that they want the tattoo to be removed. Quality-switched (Q-switched) lasers are effective in removing most tattoo pigments safely (Figs. 63.1–63.3). The appropriate laser wavelength is determined by the tattoo ink’s absorption spectrum. It is believed that laser pulses in the nanosecond range target tattoo pigments and break them into smaller particles, thereby facilitating removal of the pigment transepidermally or via macrophages and local scavenger cells. In order to treat multicolored tattoos, several Q-switched laser wavelengths must be employed.