ABSTRACT
Background: Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentation of the skin that mostly affects areas exposed to the sun. The treatment of melasma can be challenging as it is prone to relapse. Recently, new laser and light-based treatment options have been used; one of these treatment modalities is the 1927 nm fractional Thulium fiber laser.Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 1927 nm fractional Thulium fiber laser for the treatment of melasma.Materials and methods: This study retrospectively evaluated patients who were admitted to the dermatology outpatient clinic between September 2015 and March 2018 and treated with a 1927 nm fractional Thulium fiber laser. The MASI score was used to assess improvements of the lesions.Results: The current study included a total of 100 patients who received 1927 nm fractional Thulium fiber laser treatment. Each patient received two treatments at one month intervals. The mean baseline MASI score was 11.8 ± 6.3, the mean MASI score after the first session was 6.7 ± 4.1, and the mean MASI score after the second session was 3.4 ± 3.8. The differences between these three MASI scores were significant, and the laser treatment had no major side effects.Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that the 1927 nm fractional Thulium fiber laser is a safe and effective treatment option for melasma.
Subject(s)
Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Melanosis/radiotherapy , Adult , Female , Humans , Lasers, Solid-State/adverse effects , Low-Level Light Therapy/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Retrospective Studies , Thulium , Young AdultABSTRACT
Leprosy is a chronic disease which primarily affects the skin, mucous membranes and peripheral nerves due to Mycobacterium leprae. It is now infrequent in Europe and is rarely reported during pregnancy. Leprosy can be exacerbated during pregnancy, and without treatment it can permanently damage the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Therefore, it is important to treat leprosy during pregnancy. This article describes a patient with multibacillary lepromatous leprosy who was treated with multidrug therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The patient delivered a healthy baby girl without perinatal complications, and the infant's growth and development were normal during the 1-year follow-up period. Multidrug therapy consisting of dapsone, rifampicine, and clofazimine is highly effective for people with leprosy and considered safe, both for the mother and the child. Antileprosy drugs are excreted into human milk but there is no report of adverse effects except for skin discoloration of the infant due to clofazimine. Multidrug therapy for leprosy patients should be continued unchanged during pregnancy and breastfeeding.