A Prospective Open-labeled Study of Tattoo Removal with Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Utilizing the R0 Technique and Correlation with Kirby–Desai Scale

INTRODUCTION: The Q-switched Nd: YAG (QSNY) laser is considered the standard device of choice for laser tattoo removal. Newer concepts such as R0 , R20 methods aided in faster clearance of tattoos. The Kerby-Desai scale [KD scale] has been proposed to predict the approximate number of sessions needed for tattoo clearance. OBJECTIVE: 1. To access the efficacy of R0 technique for tattoo removal in skin types IV to VI. 2. To evaluate the Kerby-Desai scale and its correlation to the number of sessions actually required for tattoo clearance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with single colored amateur were treated using modified R0 technique and the number of sessions were corelated with Kirby Desai scale. RESULTS: We found that R0 method require significantly less sessions than predicted by KD scale. CONCLUSION: Tattoo removal with the R0 technique using PFD allows faster clearing of tattoos and significantly cuts down the total treatment duration needed for tattoo removal.