Photobiomodulation therapy on wound treatment subsequent to Q-switched Nd: YAG laser tattoo removal in rat model

Abstract

Q-switched Nd: YAG laser is the most effective laser for tattoo removal. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is an alternative method applied to accelerate the wound healing. This paper investigated the effects of PBM therapy using 808 nm diode laser on tattooed skin after laser tattoo removal. Forty-five rats were selected and tattooed with black ink on their dorsal, and then distributed into three groups. G0 was received non-laser irradiation. G1 was treated by laser tattoo removal using 1064 nm with energy density of 3.4 J/cm² without PBM therapy, while G2 was treated daily with PBM therapy using 808 nm diode laser of 5 J/cm² after a single session of laser tattoo removal. The effects of tattoo removal and healing progress of the wound were analyzed using histological studies. Findings showed 808 nm laser promotes the healing process through enhancing epithelialization and collagen deposition. Moreover, PBM therapy stimulated immune cells to improve phagocytosis process for removing the tattoo ink fragments effectively. The PBM therapy treated group was capable of improving the healing process and increasing the quality of skin following the laser tattoo removal. It was also found that stimulation of cellular function by PBM therapy increased tattoo clearance efficiency.

Keywords: diode laser; laser tattoo removal; photobiomodulation therapy (PBM therapy); q-switched Nd: YAG Laser; wound healing.