Conditions: Healthy
Keywords: Tattoos Black/blue tattoos
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 3
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of tattoo removal using topical imiquimod, 5% cream in conjunction with the 1064nm Nd:YAG laser. This procedure for tattoo removal will be compared to a laser removal alone.

Detailed description:
Inclusion criteria includes: patients of both genders with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV who are 18-65 years of age and who has 2 tattoos from 2 to 10 cm in diameter, of similar age which contains black and/or blue ink in areas that can be covered. Exclusion criteria includes: tattoos in chronically sun exposed areas, larger than 25 cm2,pregnancy,breast feeding state, immunosuppressed patients, history of autoimmune or connective tissue disorders, hypersensitivity to imiquimod, active sunburn, current tan, use of coumadin, aspirin , vitamin E or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents for the past 10 days.

Arms:
arm 1: The tattoo will be treated with laser and imiquimod 5% cream arm 2: The tattoo will be treated with laser and placebo topical cream

Interventions: intervention 1: 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser intervention 2: Imiquimod, 5% cream
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: The laser used will be a 1064 nm Nd:YAG, with a 10ns pulse, 3mm spot size and 4 joules of energy intervention 2: 2 weeks after the laser procedure the imiquimod will be applied 3 times a week for one month

Protocol document: