A prospective, split-face study comparing 1,064-nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser toning with 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser toning in the treatment of melasma

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Fluence 730-nm Picosecond Laser in the Treatment of Melasma in Chinese Patients

BACKGROUND

The 730-nm picosecond laser has shown promise in treating various benign pigmentary conditions, and it is yet to be determined whether it is effective and safe for melasma.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits and risks of using the 730-nm picosecond laser to remove melasma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of all patients who presented to the clinic between April 2021 and April 2022 for the treatment of melasma with 730-nm picosecond laser alone. The efficacy of the laser was assessed based on the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score using high-resolution photographs evaluated by blinded dermatologists.

RESULTS

A total of 25 Chinese with Fitzpatrick skin Type II to IV were included. Patients were treated for an average of 3.56 ± 0.77 treatment sessions. The mean MASI scores decreased by 33.7% from 11.38 ± 6.60 to 7.55 ± 6.08 at an average of 8.48 ± 2.16 weeks of follow-up (p < .001). Among the patients, 1 experienced a 79% decrease, 6 had a decrease ranging from 51% to 75%, 10 had a decrease ranging from 26% to 50%, 5 had a decrease of less than 25%, and 3 experienced no changes in MASI scores. No hyper/hypopigmentation was observed.

CONCLUSION

Low-fluence 730-nm picosecond laser is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of melasma in Chinese patients.

Global research trends on melasma: a bibliometric and visualized study from 2014 to 2023

Melasma, a prevalent pigmentary disorder, is characterized by its complex etiology, propensity for recurrence, and resistance to treatment. However, there is currently no research on melasma through bibliometrics and visualisation. This study analyses the hotspots and trends in the field based on 2,709 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). We carried out bibliometric analyses using Citespace software for different countries/regions, institutions, authors, and keywords. References were also analysed using VoSviewer. The results indicate that overall, there has been an increase in publications related to melasma since 2014. According to the analysis of the collaborative network diagram, the United States, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, and Benjakul Soottawat are the most contributing countries, institutions, and authors, respectively. Reference and keyword analyses have identified the pathogenesis and treatment of melasma as a prevalent topic in recent years. And how to find new treatment options and more effective therapeutic drugs is a future research trend. This is the first bibliometric and visual analysis of melasma-related literature to explore research hotspots and trends.

Advancements in Laser Therapies for Dermal Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Experience of Sequential Laser Treatments in a Cohort of 122 Indian Patients

The heightened awareness of ethnic dermatology aligns with the growing prevalence of skin of color communities globally, where hyperpigmentation disorders pose a common dermatological challenge. Effectively addressing dermal pigmentation is challenging due to its resistance to conventional therapies and its association with impaired quality of life. This underscores the need for effective treatments and a thorough grasp of laser advancements. A relevant literature search spanning the last 7 years across the PubMed database reveals core studies, challenges, and the evolution of laser technologies tailored for various forms of congenital and acquired dermal hyperpigmentation in skin of color. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms, applications, and recommendations for pigmentary laser technologies, highlighting the key role of Q-switched lasers in their established millisecond/ nanosecond forms and emerging picosecond lasers, fractional non-ablative and ablative lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, etc. The summary of evidence includes studies on dermal melanocytosis (nevus of Ota and Hori's nevus), tattoos, acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, etc., and also entities with mixed epidermal-dermal components, such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The review offers valuable insights for clinicians to make informed decisions based on diagnosis, skin type, and the latest technologies to optimize results and minimize complications, especially in darker Fitzpatrick skin types. In their five-year study with 122 Indian patients, the authors applied specific laser combinations for diverse dermal melanoses, including tattoos, dermal/mixed melasma, acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, and dermal nevi. Substantial pigmentation reduction, subjectively assessed by both physicians and patients, was observed across all groups. A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference in mean improvement scores across various pigmentary conditions (F = 3.39, p = 0.02), with melasma patients exhibiting a significantly higher improvement score than tattoos (p = 0.03). The results affirmed the safety and efficacy of sequential laser therapy for dermal pigmentation in skin of color, advocating for flexibility in approach while maintaining the rationale behind the laser sequences. Despite advancements, challenges persist, and gaps in the current literature are identified. In conclusion, this summary highlights the ongoing pursuit of optimal protocols in dermatological laser treatments for dermal melanoses, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of laser-related therapy for melasma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Melasma is a prevalent, persistent hyperpigmentation disorder that negatively affects the psychological health of patients. However, the treatment outcome remains unsatisfactory due to the complexity of pathogenesis, recurrence characteristics, and relatively high morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the performance of laser-related therapies in improving the melasma area severity index (MASI) score of melasma and the occurrence of adverse effects by network meta-analysis (NMA).

METHODS

From the inception to November 2022, eligible randomized controlled trials were identified. Two investigators independently searched relevant studies from PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database.

RESULTS

A total of 39 clinical studies with 1394 participants were eligible for enrollment. For efficacy, the NMA demonstrated that Q-switched Nd: YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM) was superior to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSND) [MD = -4.21 (-6.80, -1.63)], Er: YAG laser + topical medications (ERYL+TM) [MD = -3.52 (-6.84, -0.19)], and picosecond laser + topical medications (PICO+TM) [MD = -4.80 (-9.33, -0.27)]. The microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM) was superior to picosecond laser (PICO) [MD = -5.26 (-10.44, -0.08)] and topical medications (TM) [MD = -5.22 (-9.20, -1.23)]. The top five of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve value (SUCRA) are Q-switched Nd:YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM 85.9%), oral tranexamic acid (oTA 80.1%), microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM 79.7%), Q-switched Nd:YAG laser + intense pulse light (QSND+IPL 78.9%), and fractional carbon dioxide laser + topical medications (FCDL+TM 70.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the Qs-Nd:YAG laser with topical medications is the first choice for treating melasma according to the SUCRA value. Among the three treatment modalities, namely MN + TM, PICO, and TM, our recommendation favors MN+TM as the superior choice for enhancing the curative efficacy in melasma. However, the actual clinical choice should also take into account the adverse effects, the skin type of the patient, the duration of the disease, and other relevant factors.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of picosecond Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm), picosecond alexandrite laser (755 nm) and 2% hydroquinone cream in the treatment of melasma: A randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial

Background

Increasing numbers of studies demonstrated that picosecond lasers (Picos) were effective and safe for melasma. However, A limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Picos contribute to a modest level of evidence. Topical hydroquinone (HQ) remains to be the first-line therapy.

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of non-fractional picosecond Nd:YAG laser (PSNYL), non-fractional picosecond alexandrite laser (PSAL), and 2% HQ cream in the treatment of melasma.

Method

Sixty melasma patients with Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) III-IV were randomly assigned to the PSNY, PSAL, and HQ groups at a 1:1:1 ratio. Patients in PSNYL and PSAL groups received 3 laser sessions at 4-week intervals. The 2% HQ cream was applied twice daily for 12 weeks in patients of the HQ group. The primary outcome, the melasma area and severity index (MASI) score, was evaluated at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. The patient assessment score by quartile rating scale was rated at weeks 12, 16, 20, and 24.

Results

Fifty-nine (98.3%) subjects were included in the analysis. Each group showed significant change from baseline in MASI scores from week 4 to week 24. The MASI score in the PSNYL group showed the greatest reduction compared to the PSAL group (p = 0.016) and HQ group (p = 0.018). The PSAL group demonstrated comparable MASI improvement as the HQ group (p = 0.998). The PSNYL group had the highest patient assessment score, followed by the PSAL group and then the HQ group, although only the differences between PSNYL and HQ groups at weeks 12 and 16 were significant. Four patients (6.8%) experienced recurrence. Other unanticipated events were transient and subsided after 1 week to 6 months.

Conclusion

The efficacy of non-fractional PSNYL was superior to that of non-fractional PSAL, which was not inferior to 2% HQ, thus non-fractional Picos providing an alternative for melasma patients with FSTs III-IV. The safety profiles of PSNYL, PSAL, and 2% HQ cream were similar.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=130994, ChiCTR2100050089.

The Low-Fluence Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Melasma: A Systematic Review

Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder with a complex pathogenesis, of which the treatment is challenging. Conventional treatment often leads to inconsistent results with unexpected pigmentary side effects and high recurrence rates. Recently, the low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (LFQSNY) has been widely used for treating melasma, especially in Asia. We reviewed literatures on the LFQSNY treatment of melasma published between 2009 and May 2022 to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events, including its combination therapy. A systematic PubMed search was conducted and a total of 42 articles were included in this study. It was hard to summarize the heterogenous studies, but LFQSNY appeared to be a generally effective and safe treatment for melasma considering the results of previous conventional therapies. However, mottled hypopigmentation has been occasionally reported to develop and persist as an adverse event of LFQSNY, which may be associated with the high accumulated laser energy. When used aggressively, even LFQSNY can induce hyperpigmentation via unwanted inflammation, especially in darker skin. Although few studies have reported considerable recurrence rates three months after treatment, unfortunately, there is a lack of the long-term follow-up results of LFQSNY in melasma. To enhance the effectiveness and reduce the adverse events, LFQSNY has been used in combination with other treatment modalities in melasma, including topical bleaching agents, oral tranexamic acid, chemical peeling, or diverse energy-based devices, which generally reduced side effects with or without significant superior efficacy compared to LFQSNY alone.