Photorejuvenation using long-pulsed alexandrite and long-pulsed neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers: a pilot study of clinical outcome and patients' satisfaction in Koreans.

Long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite and long-pulsed 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers have been used for photorejuvenation of the face. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of long-pulsed alexandrite and long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers for photorejuvenation in Korea. One hundred and sixteen Korean patients with photo-aged facial skin were enrolled. Sixty-two patients with facial pigmentation underwent long-pulsed alexandrite laser treatment. Eleven patients that wanted to improve facial pigmentation with minimal pain had quasi-long-pulsed alexandrite laser treatment. Forty three patients had long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser therapy. Outcome assessments included standard photographs and global evaluation by blinded investigators. The self-assessment grade was provided in questionnaires. Forty-four percent of patients reported excellent or good improvement of their pigmentary lesions (>50% improvement) using a long-pulsed alexandrite laser. Of patients who underwent long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment, 36% reported excellent or good improvement in skin tightening, 50% in facial flushing and 45% in pigmentary lesions. We conclude that long-pulsed alexandrite and long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers are safe and effective for facial photorejuvenation in Koreans.