Analytical investigation of melanin's impact on the laser fragmentation and morphology of yellow tattoo pigments.

The popularity of tattooing has increased the demand for effective tattoo removal methods. Laser techniques are standard, but their efficacy can vary, particularly for individuals with darker skin tones due to melanin interference. This study aims to investigate the role of melanin in the effectiveness of QS Nd: YAG laser treatments on tattoo inks and to provide experimental data on their interact. A 532 nm QS Nd: YAG laser treatment was used on yellow tattoo inks, reference pigments, and pigment-melanin mixtures. The degradation products, along with their morphology and particle size, were examined using GC-MS, SEM, and DLS. The results reveal that melanin significantly absorbs 532 nm laser light, hindering the degradation of yellow pigments and inks. The presence of melanin reduces volatile fragment formation, promotes ink conglomerates, and increases ink particle size. These results suggest that melanin interferes with the photodegradation of tattoo pigments under 532 nm laser exposure by competing for laser energy absorption. This study establishes an analytical framework to evaluate the chemical behaviour of laser-treated pigments in melanin-rich environments. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges associated with laser tattoo removal on darker skin tones and may inform future studies on removal efficacy and safety under clinical conditions.