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Tattoo removal with picosecond laser, fractionated ablation may reduce bulla formation

Patients who underwent tattoo removal had a significant decrease in bulla formation in treatment of fractionated CO₂ ablation combined with picosecond Alexandrite laser compared with picosecond laser treatment alone, according to recently published study results.

Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review for 95 patients treated with picosecond Alexandrite laser alone or combined with ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) with CO₂ laser to  analyze bulla formation incidence after laser tattoo removal. Six of the patients had both protocols performed on their tattoos.

Blistering occurred in 26 patients (32%) treated with picosecond laser alone, whereas no blistering was experienced by patients who underwent the combination of picosecond laser and AFR. There was a statistically significant difference in bulla formation between the two cohorts, according to the researchers.

The six patients who underwent both protocols experienced blistering after the picosecond laser treatment alone. In subsequent picosecond and AFR combination treatment, no blistering occurred.

Disclosure: Au has no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.