Comparison of the efficacy and safety of a 730 nm picosecond titanium sapphire laser and a 755 nm picosecond alexandrite laser for the treatment of freckles in Asian patients: A two-center randomized, split-face, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The 730 nm picosecond titanium sapphire laser is a novel laser that shows promising results in treating freckles. This study aimed to further investigate the efficacy and safety of the 730 nm picosecond titanium sapphire laser for treating freckles in Asian patients compared with those of the 755 nm picosecond alexandrite laser. METHODS: Each face of 86 participants was split into two parts and randomly assigned either one session of 730 or 755 nm picosecond-laser treatment each. Efficacy and safety were determined based on blinded visual evaluations and self-reports at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: The treatment outcomes of the 730 nm picosecond laser for the treatment of freckles were comparable to those of the 755 nm picosecond laser, with 68.99 ± 7.42% and 69.27 ± 7.75% clearance, respectively (p > 0.05). Participants achieved similar Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores (4.04 ± 0.31 vs. 4.02 ± 0.30, respectively [p > 0.05]). Additionally, the 730 nm picosecond laser was perceived to be less painful than the 755 nm picosecond laser (4.69 ± 1.63 vs. 5.65 ± 1.80 nm, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The 730 nm picosecond laser is safe and effective for the treatment of freckles in Asian patients. Besides, the 730 nm picosecond laser is less painful than the 755 nm picosecond laser.

Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether photodynamic therapy for the treatment of facial port-wine stains resistant to pulsed dye laser.

BACKGROUND: Pulsed dye laser is the first treatment choice for port-wine stains. However, as some facial port-wine stains are resistant to this modality, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (hemoporfin) photodynamic therapy for the treatment of such resistant port-wine stains. METHODS: Patients were treated with two sessions of hemoporfin photodynamic therapy in our department. Patients received an intravenous injection of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (5 mg/kg) followed by 532 nm LED green light therapy. Three physicians graded the improvement in the port-wine stain, using a 4-level scale. Patients' satisfaction, reaction to treatment, and adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (mean age, 23.9 ± 11.9 years, range, 3-48 years) were enrolled in this study. Hypertrophic lesions accounted for 48.4% of port-wine stain, with 80.6% of lesions being larger than 40 cm2. With regard to location, 41.9% were located on the central face and 32.3% involved a mix of the central and peripheral face. After one session, a treatment response was identified in 87.1% of cases, with the response deemed 'significant' in 29.0%. After two sessions, these rates increased to 100.0% and 61.3%, respectively. The clinical effect after two sessions was significantly greater than that after one session. Treatment reactions and adverse effects were well tolerated, and included pruritus, burning sensation, pain, edema, purpura-like change, blister, crust, and hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoporfin photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment for port-wine stains resistant to pulsed dye laser therapy.

Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Picosecond Alexandrite Laser With DLA for Acne Scars in Chinese Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, picosecond laser treatment has been used as an effective treatment for acne scars. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array in the treatment of acne scars in Chinese patients. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with facial acne scars were treated with a picosecond alexandrite laser in three sessions at 4- to 6-week intervals and followed up for 2 months. Primary outcomes were measured by physicians' blinded evaluation of the acne scar using the ECCA (échelle d'éva physicians'luation clinique des cicatrices d'acné) grading scale. The secondary outcomes included the investigator global assessment (IGA) on the improvement of post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), patients' assessment of improvement on a 4-point scale and of satisfaction on a 5-point scale. Pain scores and adverse effects were also evaluated. RESULT: Twenty patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV were enrolled in the study and completed all treatment and follow-up visits. The mean ECCA scores fell from 197.75 ± 35.26 to 142.00 ± 35.92 (a 28% improvement), and the change was significant (P = 0.000). The mean IGA score of PIE improvement was 3.03 ± 0.75 (0 = no improvement and 4 = 76-100% improvement). On the basis of the patients' self-assessment, the average improvement scores were 2.30 ± 0.98 (0 indicating 0-25% improvement and 3 indicating >75% improvement). In total, 50% and 30% of the patients were "satisfied" and "very satisfied," respectively, with the treatment. The mean pain score was 3.20 ± 0.50 (0 = no pain, 10 = maximum pain) with topical anesthesia. The adverse effects included transient and mild erythema, edema, and scabbing. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with a picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array is effective and safe for acne scars in Chinese patients. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Prospective Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency System for Global Facial Photoaging in Chinese Patients.

BACKGROUND: Facial photoaging has become a major cosmetic concern, and the microneedle fractional radiofrequency system (MFRS) is a novel method for rejuvenation that combines radiofrequency and microneedles. OBJECTIVE: This study prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of an MFRS in the treatment of facial photoaged skin in Chinese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with moderate facial photoaging were recruited and received 3 treatments at 4-week intervals. Blinded clinical assessment was performed by 2 independent dermatologists on a 5-point global photoaging scale (GPS). Patients were also questioned on the extent of improvement of rhytides, skin tightening, and complexion with a 4-point global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and satisfaction based on a 5-point scale. Adverse events and pain scores were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, there was a significant improvement in facial photoaged skin after 3 treatments, and these positive outcomes were maintained up to the 6-month follow-up, according to the GPS and GAIS scores. Most patients were satisfied with the treatment and reported mild to moderate pain and adverse effects. CONCLUSION: This MFRS is effective for facial skin rejuvenation in Chinese patients. The therapy also seems safe and well tolerated.

A retrospective analysis of the influencing factors and complications of Q-switched lasers in tattoo removal in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Q-switched (QS) lasers are the gold standard for tattoo removal. The purpose of the present study was to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the efficacy of QS lasers and their associated complications in the removal of tattoos in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 266 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The tattoo clearance rate was evaluated using the 4-point scale. The Cox regression model was applied to analyze the factors that affected the efficacy of QS lasers in tattoo removal. In addition, treatment-related adverse reactions were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed that several variables had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on the efficacy of QS laser-mediated tattoo removal treatment, including the patients' age, the tattoo's age, type, color, or ink density and the number of treatments. A variety of adverse responses occurred during the laser treatment. The overall incidence of adverse responses was approximately 24.06%, including pigmentation, hypopigmentation, bulla formation, allergic reactions, and skin texture changes or hypertrophic scarring. CONCLUSION: Some factors may influence the efficacy of QS lasers in the treatment of tattoos and certain adverse reactions may occur during this process.

A Prospective Split-Face Study of the Picosecond Alexandrite Laser With Specialized Lens Array for Facial Photoaging in Chinese.

BACKGROUND: A 755nm picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array has been reported for the treatment of acne scar and photoaging with clinical ef cacy. In this study, we evaluated the application of the 755nm picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array for facial photoaging in Chinese. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten subjects with moderate facial photoaging were enrolled in a prospective, evaluator-blinded, open-label, and split-face trial to assess the ef cacy and safety of the 755nm picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array for facial photoaging. Each subject received a series of four treatment sessions on the right side of the face at two-week intervals. The left side of the face served as the control side. Blinded evaluation of baseline, pre-treatment, and two-month follow-up visit was performed by two independent dermatologists on a 5-point global photoaging scale (GPS) and a 6/8-point Asian photographic scale (APS). Adverse events and discomfort associated with the treatment were also assessed. RESULTS: Signi cant improvement in photoaged tissue was observed on the treated side of the face, with a mean GPS score decrease from 2.67 to 1.44 at the two-month follow-up visit. A greater improvement in wrinkles was observed (2.78 vs 1.89; P less than 0.05) when com- pared to the improvement in pigmentation (2.67 vs 2.11; P less than 0.05). No changes were observed on the control side. Treatment results improved gradually throughout the treatment program and continued to the two-month follow up. In addition, skin tightening was perceived in all subjects, and shallower nasolabial folds were observed in 60% of the subjects on the treated side of face. Moderate pain and transient erythema were observed as the two main discomforts associated with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The 755nm picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array is efficacious and safe for rejuvenation of photodamaged facial tissue in Chinese. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1390-1396..

Efficacy of 595nm pulsed dye laser therapy for Mibelli angiokeratoma.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively study the clinical efficacy of 595nm pulsed dye laser therapy for Mibelli angiokeratoma. METHODS: 50 cases of Mibelli angiokeratoma, from 10 to 41 year-old，were treated with the 595nm pulsed dye laser. The parameters were as follows: a wavelength of 595 nm, pulse duration of 10ms, spot size of 7 mm and energy fluency of 12.0-13.5 J/cm(2). The treatments were repeated at intervals of 4-6 weeks until the lesion was cleared, or the parents discontinued the treatment. Detailed demographics and the assessment of the degree of lesion clearance were statistically analyzed through SASS18.0. RESULTS: All the 50 patients were treated 1-4 times. The total rate of significant improvement was 80%, and the rate of full recovery was 30%. We failed to find statistical significance between genders, or the size and color of lesions, which might be due to limited sample size. The most common adverse effects after treatment were purpura and edema, which usually lasted for 12 h to several days. Temporary pigment alterations were not common. Other side effects such as scar or skin texture change were not observed. CONCLUSION: Our experience confirmed the clinical efficacy and safety of the 595 nm pulse dye laser in the treatment of Mibelli angiokeratoma.

Clinical analysis of port wine stains treated by intense pulsed light.

BACKGROUND: Port wine stains (PWS) are formed by dilation and malformation of dermal capillaries without endothelium proliferation. Despite the improvements in lasers and light therapy for PWS therapy in the past 10 years, the 'cure' rate is only about 10%. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-coherent light based on the theory of selective photothermolysis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a new IPL on PWS. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with PWS treated with an IPL with synchronous cooling were retrospectively analyzed. According to AQ1: sentence re-punctuated in places. Please check through and confirm correct the Fitzpatrick skin type, color, location of the lesion, and treatment reaction, light filters of 560 nm 590 nmor 640 nm were used with a single pulse with a pulse width of 6-14 ms and a fluence of 16-29 J/cm2; a double pulse with a pulse width of 3.5-4.0 ms, a pulse delay of 20-30 ms, and a fluence of 17-23 J/cm2; or a triple pulse with a pulse width of 3.0-4.0 ms, a pulse delay of 20-40 ms, and a fluence of 18-22 J/cm2. The adverse effects and the relationships among the lesion type, treatments, ages and location were analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the PWS lesions faded significantly and the response rate in this series was 76.4%. Patients resistant to other forms of therapy also showed good clinical results. Adult lesions were easier to remove than those in younger individuals. Further improvement did not occur after three treatments. We failed to find any relationship between efficacy and location of the PWS. CONCLUSION: The IPL treatment modality is safe and efficient for the treatment of PWS and for those which may be resistant to other therapies. The IPL is an alternative method for most PWS lesions.