Abstract
We aim to discuss the use of laser for the treatment of eyebrow microblading and cosmetic tattoo complications through a review of the literature. Our research question is whether quality-switched or picosecond laser is superior for the removal of eyebrow tattoos. This structured review was conducted using a PubMed search using the search terms “laser tattoo removal” AND “cosmetic tattoo” AND “eyebrow” with the article type filtered to “case reports,” “clinical trial,” and “randomized controlled trial” ranging from dates 1994–2023. All case reports or series evaluating the effect of laser on eyebrow cosmetic tattooing pigment were included. We summarize the results of 11 studies evaluating the use of laser for cosmetic tattoo removal, with 129 patients treated specifically for eyebrow pigment. Most studies (8/11) report Fitzpatrick skin type or race. Seven studies utilize quality-switched (QS) neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), alexandrite or ruby, three used picosecond (PS) Nd:YAG or alexandrite, and three used carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. We report laser energy, spot size, and pulse duration, as well as treatment outcomes and adverse events. Historically, methods of pigment removal included dermabrasion, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, radiofrequency, infrared light, intense pulsed light, and surgical excision; however, these methods often led to poor cosmetic outcomes including scarring and further dyspigmentation. QS laser treatments provided superior cosmetic outcomes and thus were considered the gold standard treatment option for pigment removal. However, the advent of PS lasers has challenged this given their increased selectivity, lower fluence requirements, and reduction in surrounding thermal damage. Our review demonstrates that PS Nd:YAG is quicker and more effective that QS Nd:YAG in the treatment of eyebrow tattoos. Additionally, the paradoxical darkening seen with QS lasers is less common with PS lasers. We also demonstrate that CO2 laser may be a helpful adjunct to QS or PS laser. This review focuses on Fitzpatrick skin type and race, providing a unique perspective on the use of laser treatment in skin of color, which often poses an additional treatment challenge.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.
References
Marwah MK, Kerure AS, Marwah GS (2021) Microblading and the science behind it. Indian Dermatol Online J 12(1):6–11. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_230_20
Spurr A, Hanna N, Colantonio S (2022) Cutaneous sarcoidosis in eyebrows cosmetically pigmented with microblading method: a case report and review of the literature. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 10:2050313x221117720
Sano E, Truong J, Chenevert L (2021) Bilateral periorbital cellulitis after eyebrow microblading. Visual J Emerg Med 25:101172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visj.2021.101172
Haney B (2020) Permanent and semi-permanent micro-pigment treatments. In: Aesthetic Procedures: Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Cosmetic Dermatology. Springer, Cham, p 59–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19948-7_7
Ortiz AE, Alster TS (2012) Rising concern over cosmetic tattoos. Dermatol Surg 38(3):424–429. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02202.x
Garg G, Thami GP (2005) Micropigmentation: tattooing for medical purposes. Dermatol Surg 31(8 Pt 1):928–31; discussion 931
Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J (2013) Scalp micropigmentation: a useful treatment for hair loss. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am 21(3):497–503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2013.05.010
Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J, Estrin NF (2015) Scalp micropigmentation: a concealer for hair and scalp deformities. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 8(3):35–42
Seyhan T, Kapi E (2021) Scalp micropigmentation procedure: a useful procedure for hair restoration. J Craniofac Surg 32(3):1049–1053. https://doi.org/10.1097/scs.0000000000007208
Park JH, Moh JS, Lee SY, You SH (2014) Micropigmentation: camouflaging scalp alopecia and scars in Korean patients. Aesthetic Plast Surg 38(1):199–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0259-1
Francis A, Criton S, Shojan A, Philip R (2013) Micropigmentation in vitiligo of lateral lower lip. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 6(4):236–237. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.123416
Singh AK, Karki D (2010) Micropigmentation: tattooing for the treatment of lip vitiligo. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 63(6):988–991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2009.03.013
Sharma A, Agrawal S, Dhurat R, Mhatre M, Surve R, Kerure A (2020) Micropigmentation-a revived therapeutic tool for recalcitrant, difficult-to-treat periungual vitiligo. Dermatol Ther 33(4):e13568. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.13568
Starnoni M, Pinelli M, Franceschini G, De Santis G (2019) A rare case of nipple-areolar complex partial necrosis following micropigmentation: what to learn? Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 7(11):e2494. https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002494
Brown M, Turgeon L, Bojovic B (2020) 853 microblading in patients with facial burn injuries. J Burn Care Res 41(Supplement_1):S264–S265. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/iraa024.421
Brown M, Turgeon L, Bojovic B (2022) 787 two year follow up of microblading in patients with a facial burn injury. J Burn Care Res 43(Supplement_1):S200–S200. https://doi.org/10.1093/jbcr/irac012.338
Leight-Dunn H, Lemly V, Chapas A (2022) Delayed granulomatous reaction after eyebrow microblading. Dermatol Surg 48(1):142–143. https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000003236
Tierney E, Kavanagh GM (2021) Koebnerization secondary to microblading. J Cosmet Dermatol 20(4):1040–1041. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13695
Wetzel CL (2012) Permanent cosmetics. Plast Surg Nurs Jul-Aug 32(3):117–119. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSN.0b013e31826929c6
Carney MJ, Weissler JM, Sauler M, Serletti JM (2017) Looking beyond the knife: establishing a framework for micropigmentation following breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 140(1):243e–244e. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000003466
Motoki THC, Isoldi FC, Ferreira LM (2020) Pathologic scarring after eyebrow micropigmentation: a case report and systematic review. Adv Skin Wound Care 33(10):1–4. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.Asw.0000672496.83825.75
Hartman N, Loyal J, Borsack S, Goldman MP, Boen M (2023) Retrospective review of the laser removal of facial cosmetic tattoos. Dermatol Surg 49(6):559–565. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000003766
Lahouel I, Salah NB, Machghoul S, Belhadjali H, Youssef M, Zili J (2022) Allergic contact dermatitis post-microblading eyebrow tattooing: a manifestation of pre-existing nickel sensitization. J Cosmet Dermatol 21(10):5270–5271. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14920
Jimenez G, Weiss E, Spencer JM (2002) Multiple color changes following laser therapy of cosmetic tattoos. Dermatol Surg 28(2):177–179. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.00161.x
Lee CN, Bae EY, Park JG, Lim SH (2009) Permanent makeup removal using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Clin Exp Dermatol 34(8):e594–e596. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03268.x
Fitzpatrick RE, Goldman MP, Dierickx C (1994) Laser ablation of facial cosmetic tattoos. Aesthetic Plast Surg Winter 18(1):91–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00444255
Moreno-Arias GA, Camps-Fresneda A (1999) Use of the Q-switched alexandrite laser (755 nm, 100 nsec) for eyebrow tattoo removal. Lasers Surg Med 25(2):123–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1999)25:2%3c123::aid-lsm4%3e3.0.co;2-9
Moustafa F, Suggs A, Hamill SS, Friedman PM (2020) Successful treatment of cosmetic eyebrow tattoos in Fitzpatrick III-IV with picosecond (1,064, 532-nm) neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser with a perfluorodecalin-infused patch: a pilot study. Lasers Surg Med 52(7):586–589. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23189
Radmanesh M, Rafiei Z (2015) Combination of CO2 and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers is more effective than Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone for eyebrow tattoo removal. J Cosmet Laser Ther 17(2):65–68. https://doi.org/10.3109/14764172.2014.988724
Goldman A, Wollina U (2014) Severe unexpected adverse effects after permanent eye makeup and their management by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Clin Interv Aging 9:1305–1309. https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.S67167
McIlwee BE, Alster TS (2018) Treatment of cosmetic tattoos: a review and case analysis. Dermatol Surg 44(12):1565–1570. https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000001572
Menozzi-Smarrito C, Smarrito S (2023) Laser removal of cosmetic eyebrow tattoos with a picosecond laser. Dermato 3(3):182–192
Cannarozzo G, Negosanti F, Sannino M et al (2019) Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for cosmetic tattoo removal. Dermatol Ther 32(5):e13042. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.13042
Feng H, Christman MP, Muzumdar S, Geronemus RG (2020) Successful treatment of cosmetic oral mucosal tattoos using QS 694-nm ruby laser and 755-nm alexandrite picosecond laser. Lasers Surg Med 52(8):705–707. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23207
Dash G, Patil A, Kassir M et al (2022) Non-laser treatment for tattoo removal. J Cosmet Dermatol. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14819
Fitzpatrick RE, Lupton JR (2000) Successful treatment of treatment-resistant laser-induced pigment darkening of a cosmetic tattoo. Lasers Surg Med 27(4):358–361. https://doi.org/10.1002/1096-9101(2000)27:4%3c358::aid-lsm9%3e3.0.co;2-0
Han Y, Kim S, Woo YR, Cho SH, Lee JD, Kim HS (2022) Permanent leukotrichia after picosecond laser treatment for tattoo removal. J Cosmet Dermatol. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.15372
Wu DC (2020) Successful treatment of scalp micropigmentation with 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser. Lasers Surg Med. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23364
Seitz AT, Grunewald S, Wagner JA, Simon JC, Paasch U (2014) Fractional CO2 laser is as effective as Q-switched ruby laser for the initial treatment of a traumatic tattoo. J Cosmet Laser Ther 16(6):303–305. https://doi.org/10.3109/14764172.2014.956669
Vanarase M, Gautam RK, Arora P, Bajaj S, Meena N, Khurana A (2017) Comparison of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone versus its combination with ultrapulse CO(2) laser for the treatment of black tattoo. J Cosmet Laser Ther 19(5):259–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2017.1314506
Leu FJ, Huang CL, Sue YM, Lee SC, Wang CC (2015) Effects of tattoo ink’s absorption spectra and particle size on cosmetic tattoo treatment efficacy using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Lasers Med Sci 30(1):303–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1657-6
Suchin KR, Greenbaum SS (2004) Successful treatment of a cosmetic tattoo using a combination of lasers. Dermatol Surg 30(1):105–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30024.x
Chang SE, Kim KJ, Choi JH, Sung KJ, Moon KC, Koh JK (2002) Areolar cosmetic tattoo ink darkening: a complication of Q-switched alexandrite laser treatment. Dermatol Surg 28(1):95–96. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.01118.x
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
AG, AE, KK, and KA contributed to the design and implementation of the research. AG was responsible for data collection and writing the manuscript. AE, KK, and KA were responsible for the revisions of and supervision of the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Informed consent
Not applicable.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Geisler, A.N., Eber, A., Kim, K. et al. Lasers for the treatment of eyebrow microblading and cosmetic tattoo pigment: a review of the literature. Lasers Med Sci 38, 256 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03921-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03921-z