Burn Scars Following Nd:YAG Laser Tattoo Treatment

A 35-year-old male with no history of skin complaints presented with scars in the region of a black tattoo on his left forearm. This had been immediately preceded by laser treatment for this tattoo by a medical layman (the first session involved an Nd:YAG laser; treatment parameters unknown). The patient reported very severe pain and bleeding from the skin during laser treatment, which suggests a deep tissue defect with thermal damage resulting from the use of excessively high energy. The skin was ulcerated (Figure 1), and second-degree burn scars developed (Figure 2). Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is a safe, effective treatment method for black tattoos. Treatment should be tailored to skin type and to tattoo color and color density and indicated or contraindicated by specialized doctors with specific training in laser treatment. Bodily pigment must be protected. Burn scars are caused by secondary wound healing. They give rise to a slightly increased risk of carcinoma. Follow-up care should take account of this.

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Dr. med. Stephan Große-Büning, Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz Hautklinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, [e-mail]

Conflict of interest statement: Dr. Große-Büning received reimbursement of participation fees and travel and accommodation expenses as well as fees for the preparation of scientific meetings from Lutronic Medical Systems.

Translated from the original German by Christine Rye.

Cite this as: Große-Büning S: Burn scars following Nd:YAG laser tattoo treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2021; 118: 613; DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0069