Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Picosecond Alexandrite Laser with a Diffractive Lens Array for Treatment of Melasma in Asian Patients by VISIA Imaging System.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of picosecond (ps) 755-nm alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array (DLA) generating laser-induced optical breakdown, which may be beneficial for melasma treatment.

Background

Melasma is notorious for difficult to treat with any modality setting. Recently, picosecond alexandrite laser with DLA seems promising for dealing with it without intolerable complications.

Methods

Twenty (N = 20) Asian female melasma patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV were recruited for 3 treatment sessions of picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser with DLA at a 4- to 6-week interval. The pulse duration was 750 ps. An 8-mm spot size and the fluence of 0.4 J/cm2 was used over the target area with 2 passes per treatment area and around 2000-2500 passes in total. The repetition rate was 10 Hz. Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score and VISIA® imaging system analysis were utilized for evaluation before treatment and 4 weeks after the completion of the third treatment session. The clinical improvement and adverse events were assessed by the physicians and patients, respectively.

Results

The median age of the patients was 45 years (from 27 to 55 years). In the physicians' evaluation, 40% (n = 8) of patients showed good improvement and 40% (n = 8) of patients showed moderate improvement. The mean MASI score before and after laser therapy showed significant improvement from 9.0 ± 4.8 to 6.5 ± 3.7 (p < 0.001). VISIA analysis of the forehead presented significant improvement in spots (p = 0.007) and porphyrins (p = 0.032). Some patients experienced erythema (25%), pruritus (20%), and scaling (20%) but subsided within few days of using emollients and sunscreen. Only 5% (n = 1) of patients developed mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which also subsided in 3 weeks.

Conclusions

Three sessions of picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser with a DLA were effective for melasma treatment in Asian patients with minimal side effects.