A longitudinal comparative study by in vivo harmonic generation microscopy: Q‐switched ruby laser versus picosecond 532‐nm Nd: YAG laser for the treatment of solar lentigines

Abstract

Background: Nanosecond quality-switched ruby laser (QSRL) and frequencydoubled 532-nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser (532-nm picosecond Nd: YAG laser [PSNYL]) are well-documented treatments for solar lentigines (SLs). However, no studies have longitudinally tracked the microscopic findings before and after QSRL and 532-nm PSNYL treatment for SL removal.Objectives: To compare the clinical efficacy and dynamic histological changes between QSRL and 532-nm PSNYL in the treatment of SLs in Asian patients.Method: Twenty-five patients with SLs on both sides of the face were enrolled in this prospective split-face study. QSRL and 532-nm PSNYL therapy for SLs on the left and right side of the face, respectively, were performed for each subject. All subjects underwent baseline and follow-up assessment at Weeks 3 and 6. In vivo harmonic generation microscopy (HGM) imaging was adopted for the noninvasive observation of melanin mass density of basal cells (MMD basal cell ), epidermal melanocyte dendricity, and dermal melanophages before and after laser treatment.Results: At Week 6, 60% of the lesions treated with QSRL and 68% with 532-nm PSNYL had over 75% improvement. Histologically, both lasers resulted in statistically significant decrease of MMD basal cell in SLs to the level of that in the normal skin at Weeks 3 and 6. Statistically significant increase of dermal melanophages was observed 3 weeks after both laser treatments.Nevertheless, 532-nm PSNYL led to faster clearance of melanophages than QSRL at Week 6. Moreover, activated melanocytes with enhanced dendrite formation was significantly increased till 6 weeks after both laser treatments. Conclusion:Both QSRL and 532-nm PSNYL were effective treatments for SLs, and there was no statistically significant difference in clinical scoring. However,

Discontinuity third harmonic generation microscopy for label-free imaging and quantification of intraepidermal nerve fibers

“…According to previous studies, the THG intensity is sensitive to melanin, whereas the melanin mass density of the focal volume is directly related to the intensity of the THG signal in the basal layer. 39 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 In this study, although the THG signal was also found to be highly sensitive to the presence of FINEs, the nerve fibers were mostly distributed among the basal keratinocytes, causing them to be easily shadowed by the surrounding background THG from melanin. For patients with diabetic neuropathy, the most common site of symptoms is the distal extremities and with a length-dependent process; thus, areas with a low melanin content on the distal leg are excellent candidate sites for dTHGM.…”

A Noninvasive Skin Biopsy of Free Nerve Endings via Realtime Third-Harmonic Microscopy

“…According to a previous study, the THG intensity is sensitive to melanin, while the melanin mass density (MMD) of the focal volume is directly related to the intensity of the THG signal in the basal layer [74]. In this study, although the THG signal was also found to be highly sensitive to the presence of FINEs, nerve fibers are mostly distributed among the basal keratinocytes, causing it to be easily shadowed by the surrounding background THG from melanin.…”

“…According to a previous study, the THG intensity is sensitive to melanin, while the melanin mass density (MMD) of the focal volume is directly related to the intensity of the THG signal in the basal layer [74].…”