Minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation. Treatment with the neodymium:YAG laser

Treatment of minocycline-induced pigmentation with the neodymium-Yag laser

“…Fading of the pigmentation is likely to be by a similar mechanism to that of tattoo pigment dispersal 4 . Although the 1064‐nm wavelength is very successful for treating dark tattoo pigments, Wilde et al 5 . have reported a case very similar to one of ours, which failed to respond to 1064 nm, but cleared using 532 nm.…”

Minocycline‐associated intra‐oral soft‐tissue pigmentation: clinicopathologic correlations and review

“…Various modalities have been pursued to correct persistently pigmented areas. The treatment of minocycline‐induced pigmentation with Q‐switched ruby, alexandrite, and neodymium:YAG lasers has been documented (Collins & Cotterill 1996, Tsao et al 1996, Wilde et al 1997, Greve et al 1998, Wood et al 1998, Green & Friedman 2001, Friedman et al 2002). In animal studies, ascorbic acid used in conjunction with minocycline therapy has demonstrated an inhibition of pigment deposition, most likely because of the vitamin's anti‐oxidant properties (Bowles 1998).…”

Minocycline-Induced Hyperpigmentation Treated with a 755-nm Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser

“…Several single case studies using a variety of pigment-specific lasers have shown similar clinical effect, but lacked a comprehensive approach to treatment, with numerous different treatment protocols outlined with varying laser fluences and treatment intervals. [25][26][27][28][29][30] The most common approach to treatment involves pigment-specific laser irradiation every 6 to 8 weeks to permit adequate time for pigment clearing and dermal recovery. Although the use of any Q-switched pigment-specific laser system, including the ruby, alexandrite, and Nd:YAG systems, would be expected to adequately remove minocycline-induced dermal pigment, the alexandrite laser tends to produce less tissue splatter than the Nd:YAG laser intraoperatively and be less prone to postoperative hypopigmentation than the ruby system.…”