Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser versus Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) and Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate (KTP) Lasers in the Treatment of Acanthosis Nigricans

Systematic review of topical, laser, and oral treatments in acanthosis nigricans clinical trials

Acanthosis nigricans (AN), with an estimated prevalence of 19.4% in the U.S., presents as hyperpigmented, velvety plaques in intertriginous regions. Acanthosis Nigricans negatively affects psychological well-being and particularly impacts skin of color individuals. Addressing the underlying cause of acanthosis nigricans, as current guidelines recommend, is often challenging. This highlights the importance of skin directed treatment for acanthosis nigricans. This systematic review evaluated topical, laser, and oral treatments for acanthosis nigricans and provides evidence-based recommendations for clinical use. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we evaluated 19 clinical trials investigating topical, oral, and laser interventions for acanthosis nigricans. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines were used to make clinical recommendations. We strongly recommend topical tretinoin (grade A) and endorse the appropriate use of adapalene gel, urea cream, and fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy (grade B). Further research is essential to enhance our understanding of alternative treatments to determine additional evidence-based recommendations. This review aims to guide clinicians in managing acanthosis nigricans, especially when direct treatment of underlying conditions is impractical.

Efficacy and safety of lasers versus topical medications for acanthosis nigricans and pseudo-acanthosis nigricans treatment: a systematic review

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a cutaneous disorder identified by well-defined pigmented plaques mostly detected on skin folds. Timely diagnosis and treatment of AN is essential as it could be an early manifestation of an underlying condition. The treatment of choice for AN has not been determined yet. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of various lasers with topical medications, including cream and peel. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, were thoroughly searched until May 1st, 2023. Study selection was restricted to clinical trials published in English language comparing lasers with topical treatments. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Out of 1748 studies, Six clinical trials met our inclusion criteria, with 133 patients. We examined laser therapies, including fractional CO2 laser, 1550-nm erbium fiber laser, and long-pulsed alexandrite laser, while the topical treatments comprised glycolic acid (GA) peel, retinoic acid peel, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel, and tretinoin cream. In two studies, GA peel demonstrated favorable results compared to fractional CO2 laser. Besides, fractional CO2 laser exhibited efficacy, surpassing TCA peel in AN management. Additionally, a fractional 1550-nm erbium fiber laser displayed superiority over tretinoin cream in reducing average roughness. Similarly, a long-pulsed alexandrite laser demonstrated its effectiveness in axillary AN treatment compared to the combination of tretinoin and ammonium lactate. Overall, the findings revealed that laser therapy was associated with superior results. Moreover, topical treatments are safe and efficacious in AN management.