Ann Dermatol.  2012 Aug;24(3):267-273. 10.5021/ad.2012.24.3.267.

Intense Pulsed Light and Low-Fluence Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment in Melasma Patients

• Na SY
• Cho S
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2265298
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2012.24.3.267

Abstract

BACKGROUND
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.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the clinical effects and safety of the combinational treatment, using intense pulsed light (IPL) and low fluence QS Nd:YAG laser.
METHODS
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.
RESULTS
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).
CONCLUSION
IPL and low fluence laser may elicit a clinical resolution in the mixed type melasma with long term benefits.

Keyword

IPL; Laser; Melasma treatment

MeSH Terms

Erythema
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Light
Medical Records
Melanins
Melanosis
Research Personnel
Retrospective Studies
Melanins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) baseline, (B) 1 week after the last treatment, (C) follow-up (6 months).

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