Is non-ablative 1550-nm fractional photothermolysis an effective modality to treat melasma? Results from a prospective controlled single-blinded trial in 51 patients

Efficacy of microneedling with topical vitamin C in the treatment of melasma

BACKGROUND

Despite the wide therapeutic options available for the treatment of melasma, including many active topical medications, technologies with lights and peelings, clinical control of this disorder is extremely challenging.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of microneedling with topical vitamin C in the treatment of melasma.

METHODS

Thirty female patients with melasma received six sessions of microneedling with addition of topical vitamin C every two weeks. At each session, photos were taken and Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score was calculated to assess the clinical improvement.

RESULTS

Mean age of the eligible patients was 33.2 ± 5.77 years. About 50% of cases were of Fitzpatrick skin type III. All patients showed improvement at the end of the sessions. Mean MASI score in the first session was 8.61 ± 4.45 and there was a gradual decline in its value till it reached a mean of 5.75 ± 4.16 in the last session (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Microneedling with topical vitamin C is an effective and safe treatment option for epidermal melasma especially in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I-III.

Laser treatment of medical skin disease in women

Laser treatment is a relatively new and increasingly popular modality for the treatment of many dermatologic conditions. A number of conditions that predominantly occur in women and that have a paucity of effective treatments include rosacea, connective tissue disease, melasma, nevus of Ota, lichen sclerosus (LS), notalgia paresthetica and macular amyloidosis, and syringomas. Laser therapy is an important option for the treatment of patients with these conditions. This article will review the body of literature that exists for the laser treatment of women with these medical conditions.

Fractional resurfacing in the Asian patient: Current state of the art

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Fractionated photothermolysis (FP) has revolutionized modern laser technology. By creating selective columns of microthermal damage, fractionated devices allows for greater treatment depths to be achieved without the prolonged downtime and risk of complications seen in traditional fully ablative laser resurfacing. Fractional resurfacing is a proven method to treat a variety of cutaneous conditions. In the Caucasian patient, a wide range of devices and treatment settings can be utilized safely and effectively. However, ethnic skin requires special consideration due to its unique pigmentary characteristics and clinical presentations. In this review article, we detail the current indications and strategies to optimize results and mitigate complications when utilizing fractional resurfacing for the Asian patient.

METHODS

A review of the MEDLINE English literature was conducted on fractionated laser devices studied in the Asian population. Articles included describe non-ablative devices including fractionated erbium glass, thulium fiber, diode, and radiofrequency devices; and ablative devices including fractionated carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) laser, erbium yttrium aluminum garnet and yttrium scandium gallium garnet (YSGG) laser. These data were integrated with the expert opinion of the authors.

CONCLUSION

Taking into account the unique characteristics and cosmetic concerns of the Asian population, fractional resurfacing can be considered a safe and effective option for the treatment of atrophic and hypertrophic scarring, and photorejuvenation in ethnic skin types. Select cases of melasma may be treated with fractionated non-ablative devices, but utilized with caution. The predominant complication associated with fractional resurfacing for these conditions is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and rebound worsening of melasma. A greater number of treatments at lower density settings and wider treatment intervals typically produce the lowest risks of PIH without compromising treatment efficacy. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:45-59, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Nonablative fractional lasers: Acne scars and other indications]

Nonablative photothermolysis has become an established technique in laser dermatology. It is mainly used for restructuring dermal connective tissue in order to treat, for example, acne scars or solar elastosis. It is also applied to the treatment of melasma and other benign cutaneous pigment disorders. This article discusses various indications in light of published observations and with regard to practical considerations.

Lasers

Lasers are a very effective approach for treating many hyperpigmented lesions. They are the gold standard treatment for actinic lentigos and dermal hypermelanocytosis, such as Ota nevus. Becker nevus, hyperpigmented mosaicisms, and lentigines can also be successfully treated with lasers, but they could be less effective and relapses can be observed. However, lasers cannot be proposed for all types of hyperpigmentation. Thus, freckles and café-au-lait macules should not be treated as the relapses are nearly constant. Due to its complex pathophysiology, melasma has a special place in hyperpigmented dermatoses. Q-switched lasers (using standard parameters or low fluency) should not be used because of consistent relapses and the high risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Paradoxically, targeting the vascular component of the melasma lesion with lasers could have a beneficial effect. However, these results have yet to be confirmed. In all cases, a precise diagnosis of the type of hyperpigmentation is mandatory before any laser treatment, and the limits and the potential side effects of the treatment must be clearly explained to patients.

Melasma in men

Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis that results in localized hyperpigmentation, commonly found on the face. This condition is much more common in women than men. There are some features of melasma in men that seem to differ from those seen in women. However, there is a paucity of data on this topic. The aim of this article is to review the etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of melasma in men. It is important for dermatologists to understand some unique aspects of melasma in this group to provide appropriate care for patients who suffer from this frustrating condition.