Premium
Long‐term results in low‐fluence 1064‐nm Q‐Switched Nd: YAG laser for melasma: Is it effective?
Author(s) -
Gokalp Hilal,
Akkaya Ayse Deniz,
Oram Yasemin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of cosmetic dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.626
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1473-2165
pISSN - 1473-2130
DOI - 10.1111/jocd.12253
Subject(s) - melasma , medicine , nd:yag laser , fluence , laser , dermatology , neodymium , laser treatment , surgery , optics , physics
Summary Objective This study assessed the safety and clinical efficacy of a low‐fluence 1064‐nm Q‐switched neodymium‐doped:yttrium aluminum garnet ( QS ‐Nd: YAG ) laser in the treatment of patients with melasma. Methods The study evaluated 34 melasma patients treated at a single institution using a 1064‐nm QS ‐Nd: YAG laser. The laser parameters were 6 mm spot size and 2.5 J/cm 2 fluence with multiple passes for 6–10 (median 8) sessions at 2‐week intervals. Outcomes were evaluated using photography, the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index ( mMASI ) score, and patient satisfaction interviews after the last treatment and 1 year after the last treatment. Results After the low‐fluence 1064‐nm QS ‐Nd: YAG laser treatments, the mean mMASI score decreased from 6.7 ± 3.3 to 3.2 ± 1.6 ( P < 0.01). After treatment completion, 20 of 34 patients (58.8%) rated themselves as having at least a 50% reduction in melasma severity. One year after the last treatment, recurrence was observed in 20 patients (58.8%) and the mean mMASI score increased from 3.2 ± 1.6 to 5.8 ± 1.9 in all patients. Conclusion The recurrence of low‐fluence 1064‐nm QS ‐Nd: YAG laser rates in melasma was high when the long‐term results were considered. This result may be attributed to certain patient and treatment‐related factors.