ArticleFrontiers in medicine2026
20-MHz high-intensity focused ultrasound for tattoo removal without pigment-specific optical targeting and with evidence for an ablation-associated transepidermal extrusion pathway.
Article in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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20 authors.
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Abstract
Introduction: Radiotherapy tattoos can impose a cosmetic burden, while laser removal requires selection of optical wavelengths according to the absorption characteristics of individual tattoo pigments. We evaluated a handheld 20 MHz high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device as a potential non-optical approach to reducing red, black, and blue tattoo pigments. Methods: Thermal injury zone (TIZ) geometry was characterized Results: Discussion: These feasibility data suggest that 20 MHz HIFU may support an ablation-associated transepidermal extrusion pathway for reducing red, black, and blue tattoo pigments without requiring pigment-specific optical wavelength matching. The findings provide preliminary histology-linked and imaging-supported evidence for this non-optical tattoo-treatment approach, while underscoring the need for larger controlled studies and dose optimization to improve cosmetic outcomes and minimize residual traces.
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