Many Jews in Ethiopia adopted the Christian custom of tattooing various parts of the body, either after conversion or to hide their Jewish origin. After emigrating to Israel, they sought to remove these foreign symbol...Many Jews in Ethiopia adopted the Christian custom of tattooing various parts of the body, either after conversion or to hide their Jewish origin. After emigrating to Israel, they sought to remove these foreign symbols to better blend with society. The aim of this study was to describe the use of laser technology for tattoo removal in a high- risk dark- skinned population and to highlight one way in which the interaction of modern medical communities with people from developing countries can open new avenues of research. The study sample consisted of 401 women and 3 men of Ethiopian origin with Fitzpatrick skin type V or VI. Ages ranged from 15 to 53 years. All tattoos were blue/black and had been made by injecting charcoal into the skin. Most (n=392, 97% ) were located on the forehead or the forehead and temples (n=312); 69% were cross- shaped. Patients underwent 3 to 6l aser treatments(average 3.6)withthe Q- switched Nd: YAG (n=380, 94% ) or ruby (n=24) laser at intervals of at least 8 weeks. The percent of clearing was scored by two independent investigators as follows: 1=0% - 25% ; 2=26% - 50% ; 3=51% - 75% ; 4=75% - 100% . Pigmentary and textural changes were classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe. The duration of follow- up after the last treatment was 6- 8 months. At the last follow- up, the clearance score was 4 in 92% of the patients and 3 in the remainder. Transient (2- 4 months)mild hyperpigmentation was noted in 177 (44% ) patients, and mild textural changes in two, both treated with the Q- switched laser. There were no cases of scarring or permanent pigmentary changes. Laser removal of carbon- based tattoos in an Ethiopian population yielded an excellent to good aesthetic outcome with no complications, similar to results in light- skinned patients. These findings have important implications for improving the quality of life of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel.展开更多
The popularity of laser-assisted hair removal has grown rapidly since April 3, 1995 when the Food and Drug Administration approved the introduction of the first hair removal laser system. Lasers with wavelengths in th...The popularity of laser-assisted hair removal has grown rapidly since April 3, 1995 when the Food and Drug Administration approved the introduction of the first hair removal laser system. Lasers with wavelengths in the red and infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum are most often used for hair removal because they effectively target melanin in the hair follicle and can potentially penetrate to the appropriate depth of the dermis. Despite all efforts to protect the skin from damage, photoepilation may result in clinically significant adverse reactions. The most common and known side effects of laser hair removal include transient erythema, perifollicular edema, pain, folliculitis, hyper-pigmentation, hypopigmentation, crusting, purpura, erosions and scarring.1 The present report describes the appearance of a reticulate erythema after diode laser treatment for hair removal, encountered in 10 patients in our clinics in London and Israel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this side effect. The aim of this work is to detail the clinical manifestations, histological findings, and follow-up of these patients in order to expand the clinical spectrum of laser-assisted hair removal side effects and to alert dermatologists to the possibility of this type of net-like erythema.展开更多
文摘Many Jews in Ethiopia adopted the Christian custom of tattooing various parts of the body, either after conversion or to hide their Jewish origin. After emigrating to Israel, they sought to remove these foreign symbols to better blend with society. The aim of this study was to describe the use of laser technology for tattoo removal in a high- risk dark- skinned population and to highlight one way in which the interaction of modern medical communities with people from developing countries can open new avenues of research. The study sample consisted of 401 women and 3 men of Ethiopian origin with Fitzpatrick skin type V or VI. Ages ranged from 15 to 53 years. All tattoos were blue/black and had been made by injecting charcoal into the skin. Most (n=392, 97% ) were located on the forehead or the forehead and temples (n=312); 69% were cross- shaped. Patients underwent 3 to 6l aser treatments(average 3.6)withthe Q- switched Nd: YAG (n=380, 94% ) or ruby (n=24) laser at intervals of at least 8 weeks. The percent of clearing was scored by two independent investigators as follows: 1=0% - 25% ; 2=26% - 50% ; 3=51% - 75% ; 4=75% - 100% . Pigmentary and textural changes were classified as none, mild, moderate, or severe. The duration of follow- up after the last treatment was 6- 8 months. At the last follow- up, the clearance score was 4 in 92% of the patients and 3 in the remainder. Transient (2- 4 months)mild hyperpigmentation was noted in 177 (44% ) patients, and mild textural changes in two, both treated with the Q- switched laser. There were no cases of scarring or permanent pigmentary changes. Laser removal of carbon- based tattoos in an Ethiopian population yielded an excellent to good aesthetic outcome with no complications, similar to results in light- skinned patients. These findings have important implications for improving the quality of life of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel.
文摘The popularity of laser-assisted hair removal has grown rapidly since April 3, 1995 when the Food and Drug Administration approved the introduction of the first hair removal laser system. Lasers with wavelengths in the red and infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum are most often used for hair removal because they effectively target melanin in the hair follicle and can potentially penetrate to the appropriate depth of the dermis. Despite all efforts to protect the skin from damage, photoepilation may result in clinically significant adverse reactions. The most common and known side effects of laser hair removal include transient erythema, perifollicular edema, pain, folliculitis, hyper-pigmentation, hypopigmentation, crusting, purpura, erosions and scarring.1 The present report describes the appearance of a reticulate erythema after diode laser treatment for hair removal, encountered in 10 patients in our clinics in London and Israel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this side effect. The aim of this work is to detail the clinical manifestations, histological findings, and follow-up of these patients in order to expand the clinical spectrum of laser-assisted hair removal side effects and to alert dermatologists to the possibility of this type of net-like erythema.
