Washington, Feb 25 (IANS) A laser technique best known for removing unwanted tattoos from the skin is finding a second life in preserving sculptures, paintings and other works of art.

The technique, called laser ablation, involves removing material from a solid surface by vapourising the material with laser beam.

Doctors, for example, use laser ablation in medicine to remove unwanted tattoos. In industry, the technique can remove paints, coatings and other material without damaging the underlying surface.

Salvatore Siano and Renzo Salimbeni point out that laser cleaning of works of art actually began about 10 years before the better known medical and industrial applications of the technique.

Scientists note that laser ablation has had an important impact in preserving the world's cultural heritage of great works of art.

They describe the latest advances in laser cleaning of stone and metal statues and wall paintings, including masterpieces like Lorenzo Ghiberti's Porta del Paradiso and Donatello's David.

They also discuss encouraging results of laser cleaning underwater for material that could deteriorate if exposed to air, says a statement from the American Chemical Society (ACS) via EurekAlert.

These findings were published in the ACS monthly journal, Accounts of Chemical Research.