Q-Switched Laser Treatment of Pigmented Lesions in Asian Skin

Abhijit Desai, Gauri Desai, Hoon Hur, Lena Fan, Jasmina Vesel, Ku Shahira Binti Ku Shaari, Lucas Chia Liang Choong, Minh Truong Pham, Natalia Wahyudi, Nazelia Thibroni, Robot Setiadi Leo, Shih An Yang, Zdenko Vižintin
Pages: onlineFirst

Background: Q-switched lasers are an effective tool for treatment of pigmented lesions.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of different 1064-nm Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG and 532-nm KTP laser treatment protocols used in the treatment of pigmented lesions of Asian skin.

Methods: A total of 72 subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III to V were treated for the following pigmented lesions: melasma, lentigines, freckles, Hori’s nevus, Ota's nevus, PIH, dark lips, Cafe au lait spot and acanthosis nigricans. Evaluation methods included clinical evaluation of the clearance of lesions and patient-reported satisfaction with the treatment results.

Results: Melasma was the most commonly treated lesion (46%), followed by lentigines (17%) and freckles (11%). More than 50% clearance was achieved by 91.2% of patients treated for melasma and 100% of patients treated for lentigines and freckles. The most common side effect was short-term erythema.

Conclusions: All of the Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG and 532-nm KTP laser protocols used seem to be safe and effective for the treatment of a variety of pigmented skin lesions in Asian skin.

Q-Switched Laser Treatment of Pigmented Lesions in Asian Skin