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.

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..

Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment for labial lentigines associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Labial lentigines associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are cosmetically disfiguring and distressful. Although multiple treatment modalities including Q-switched ruby laser and Q-switched alexandrite laser have been proposed, experience with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been lacking. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) for labial lentigines in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Demographic and clinical data of 11 patients diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome were analyzed. A quartile grading system was used. All patients were treated with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system with the following parameters: wavelength 532 nm; spot size 3 mm; pulse duration 5-20 ns; fluence 1.8-2.2 J/cm(2) . RESULTS: After two to six (mean 3.6) treatment sessions, an average grade of 3.73 was achieved. Eight patients (72.7 %) showed an excellent response with more than 75 % lesion clearance. Three patients (27.3 %) showed a good response. Repeated treatments led to improved clearance of labial lentigines. Age, gender, and Fitzpatrick skin type were not statistically associated with efficacy grades after the first treatment session. Neither recurrence in treated areas nor significant complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Q-switched Nd:YAG laser provides an effective and safe treatment option for labial lentigines associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

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.