Refractory Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treated Fractional CO2 Laser.

OBJECTIVE

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is a reactive hypermelanosis of the skin that occurs as a consequence of an inflammatory process, such as acne, eczema, drug reactions, burns, chemical peelings, and laser applications. Although topical agents remain to be the first-line treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, treatment of recalcitrant cases is challenging. The Q-switched ruby laser, the low-dose Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser, and the fractional 1550nm erbium-doped fiber laser have been reported to improve postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

DESIGN/SETTING/

PARTICIPANTS

The authors present a case of refractory postinflammatory hyperpigmentation successfully treated with two sessions of fractional CO2 laser in a 24-year-old woman with Fitzpatrick skin type III.

RESULTS

After two treatment sessions with a one-month interval, the lesion totally cleared without any complications.

CONCLUSION

Although many laser systems, including fractional CO2 lasers, can cause postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, they also can be very efficacious tools by using conservative laser settings and by providing appropriate post-treatment care in recalcitrant postinflammatory hyperpigmentation treatment.