Intense Pulsed Light and Low-Fluence Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment in Melasma Patients
Open Access
- 1 January 2012
- journal article
- Published by Korean Dermatological Association and The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology in Annals of Dermatology
- Vol. 24 (3), 267-273
- https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2012.24.3.267
Abstract
Recently, low fluence collimated Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser has drawn attention for the treatment of melasma. However, it needs a lot of treatment sessions for the substantial results and repetitive laser exposures may end up with unwanted depigmentation. We evaluated the clinical effects and safety of the combinational treatment, using intense pulsed light (IPL) and low fluence QS Nd:YAG laser. Retrospective case series of 20 female patients, with mixed type melasma, were analyzed using medical records. They were treated with IPL one time, and 4 times of weekly successive low fluence Nd:YAG laser treatments. At each visit, digital photographs were taken under the same condition. Melanin index (MI) and erythema index (EI) were measured on the highest point on the cheekbones. Modified melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores were calculated by two investigators using digital photographs. The mean values of MI and EI decreased significantly after treatments. The modified MASI score has decreased by 59.35%, on average. Sixty percents of the participants did not require any more treatments, and no clinical aggravations were observed during the follow-up period (mean 5.9 months). IPL and low fluence laser may elicit a clinical resolution in the mixed type melasma with long term benefits.Keywords
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- A case series of facial depigmentation associated with low fluence q‐switched 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser for skin rejuvenation and melasmaLasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2010
- Low-Fluence Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Melasma with Pre- or Post-Treatment Triple Combination CreamDermatologic Surgery, 2010
- Low-dose 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of melasmaJournal of Dermatological Treatment, 2010
- Low-Fluence Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (1,064 nm) Laser for the Treatment of Facial Melasma in AsiansDermatologic Surgery, 2010
- Treatment of refractory dermal melasma with the MedLite C6 Q?switched Nd:YAG laser: Two case reportsJournal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2008
- The treatment of melasma: A review of clinical trialsJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2006
- Treatment of melasmaJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2006
- Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Refractory Melasma in Asian PersonsDermatologic Surgery, 2004
- Study of the Incidence and Nature of "Very Subtle Epidermal Melasma" in Relation to Intense Pulsed Light TreatmentDermatologic Surgery, 2004
- A clinical, prospective, randomized, double‐blind trial comparing skin whitening complex with hydroquinone vs. placebo in the treatment of melasmaInternational Journal of Dermatology, 2003