Low-fluence Q-switched 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser for the treatment of facial partial unilateral lentiginosis in Koreans.

BACKGROUND

Established pigment lasers have been used in partial unilateral lentiginosis (PUL) have shown unsatisfactory results.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness and safety of low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser treatment of PUL in Koreans.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Ten Korean patients with facial PUL were treated with 1,064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser, 7-mm spot size, 1.5- to 2.5-J/cm(2) fluence at 2-week intervals. Standard digital photographs were taken under the same condition at baseline and at each follow-up visit. Independent dermatologists evaluated the photographs. All patients completed a questionnaire to assess their subjective satisfaction with the laser treatment using a 5-point grading system. Degree of pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (0-10). Any complications and side effects were recorded at each visit. Patients were followed up every 4 weeks for 12 weeks after the last laser treatment.

RESULTS

Five of 10 patients (50%) had achieved excellent improvement (76-100%) at the end of treatment, and the remaining 50% had good improvement (51-75%). In patient self-evaluation of the degree of improvement of PUL, nine (90%) assessed it as very much to much improved (>50% improvement), and 1 (10%) assessed it as moderate (50-75%). Subjects rated the pain associated with laser treatment at a mean score of 3.3 (range: 1-5) on a scale of 1 to 10. Mottled hypopigmentation developed in two patients. At follow-up, 12 weeks after the last laser session, all of the patients had partial recurrence, which wqw resolved with one to two sessions of laser treatment.

CONCLUSION

Low-fluence 1,064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser treatment for facial PUL in Koreans showed improvement with no significant side effects. We recommend the low-fluence 1,064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser as a treatment option for facial PUL.