Tattooing in the Gulf region: a review of tattoo practices and response to treatment with the Q-switched ruby laser

Abstract

Background: Data regarding tattoo practices in the Gulf region and response to treatment are almost non-existent in the medical literature.

Objective: To study the profile of patients with permanent tattoos in the Arab world, and to evaluate their response to Q-switched ruby laser treatment.

Methods: A total of 468 consecutive patients with permanent tattoos consulting us for tattoo removal were recruited in the present study. Before starting the treatment each patient was given a set of questionnaires to answer. The patients were then treated with the Q-switched ruby laser, with a time interval of 8 weeks between each laser session, until complete clearance or up to a maximum of 10 sessions.

Results: A total of 292 patients out of 348 patients achieved excellent lightening to complete clearance of tattoo pigment after an average of six sittings (range 2-10 sittings). Female patients with fair complexions and amateur tattoos on the face responded best. Seventy-eight (22.4%) patients developed pigmentary changes.

Conclusion: More females than males had tattoos, and at a very young age and mostly on the advice of their parents. The majority of patients wanted to remove the tattoos because of religious reasons. The Q-switched ruby laser seems to be highly effective in removing amateur blue-black tattoos in patients with colored skin.