Laser treatment of solar lentigines on dorsum of hands: QS Ruby laser versus ablative CO2 fractional laser - a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lentigines solares (LS) on the dorsum of hands are often esthetically disturbing. Q-switched ruby laser treatment is highly effective in the treatment of these lesions. Ablative fractional photothermolysis may be a suitable alternative. We compared the Q-switched ruby laser with ablative CO2 fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of solar lentigines. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of 694nm Q-switched ruby laser (Sinon) with the ablative 10,600nm CO2 fractional laser (Quantel Excel O2) in an intra-individual side-to-side comparison in the treatment of LS on the dorsum of hands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients were included in the study. The hands of each patient were randomized for treatment with the two laser systems. Three treatment sessions were scheduled at weeks 0, 4 and 8. Evaluations by patients, treating physician and blinded experts were scheduled at weeks 0, 4, 8, 16 and 24. RESULTS: The Q-switched ruby laser was significantly more efficacious than the ablative CO2 fractional laser for removing LS on the dorsum of hands (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this first study on this topic, the Q-switched ruby laser was superior to the ablative CO2 fractional laser in the treatment of lentigines solares on the dorsum of hands.