“Modified R20 method” for tattoo removal shows superior efficacy in dark skin

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A modified R20 method for tattoo removal with a Q-switched Nd YAG laser produced significantly greater results over the conventional technique on the darker skin of Indian patients.

Forty patients with black tattoos were included in that randomized controlled trial. In one arm, 20 patients were treated with the new modified R20 method, which uses two passes of low fluence over the tattoo. The control arm included 20 patients treated with the conventional high fluence method of tattoo removal.

The laser for both arms was a Q-switched Nd YAG laser (Lumenis, Quantum Platform).

The modified R20 method showed superior efficacy in number of sessions, percentage of removal and chances of complete tattoo removal.

Immediate adverse effects were marginally higher in this group, but there was no difference in long-term adverse effects between groups.

Reference:

De, Abhishek. Safety and efficacy of “modified R20 method” in Indian skin for black tattoo removal with 1064 Q-switched Nd YAG laser: A randomized controlled trial with the conventional high fluence technique take. Presented at: 23rd World Congress of Dermatology; June 8-13, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia.