Nanosecond Q-Switched 1064/532 nm Laser to Treat Hyperpigmentations: A Double Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

(1) Benign hyperpigmentations are a common problem in cosmetic dermatology. Melasma, solar lentigo, and other acquired hyperpigmentations represent an aesthetic issue for an increasing number of patients. The gold standard in managing this condition is currently 1064/532 nanometers (nm) Q-Switched lasers. This study reports our experience on the use of a Q-switched laser with a nanosecond pulse to treat these conditions. (2) Methods: A total of 96 patients asking for benign hyperpigmentation removal were consecutively enrolled at the Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro and Tor Vergata University of Rome. Treating parameters were the following: 1064 nm with a pulse duration of 6 nanoseconds (ns) for dermic lesions and 532 nm with 6 ns for epidermal ones. Up to five treatments with a minimum interval between laser treatments of thirty days were performed. A follow-up visit three months after the last session assessed patient satisfaction with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Two blinded dermatologists assessed the cosmetic result using a five-point scale comparing pictures before treatment and at follow-up. (3) Results: 96 patients were included; 47 participants were women (49.0%) and 49 men (51.0%). The mean reported age was 50.0 ± 17.3 years. All patients reached a good to complete hyperpigmentation removal at the dermatological evaluation with a mean VAS score of 8.91 ± 1.07. (4) Conclusions: Q Switched 1064/532 nm laser may be considered the gold standard treatment for benign hyperpigmentations. Our results confirm the literature findings on the effectiveness of these devices.

VISIA Skin Analysis System as a Tool to Evaluate the Reduction of Pigmented Skin and Vascular Lesions Using the 532 Nm Laser

“… 23 Results of a double center retrospective study depicted that laser therapy was an effective method of treatment for skin hyperpigmentation and up to five laser sessions were necessary to achieve the clinical endpoint, ie, complete hyperpigmentation regression. 24 Although in the aforementioned study, clinical results were similar to the literature data, authors applied a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to the patients at the three-month follow-up to measure their contentment. They also reported as limitation of their study, that no digital skin analysis devices were used.…”

“…They also reported as limitation of their study, that no digital skin analysis devices were used. 24 In order to objectify the results we aimed to test 532nm laser efficacy for both vascular and pigmented lesions and to see whether this efficacy might be evaluated by the System of Skin Analysis and Assessment in an esthetic practice.…”

Expert recommendations on supportive skin care for non‐surgical and surgical procedures

“…To treat hyperpigmentation, nanosecond Q‐switched lasers or picosecond PIC lasers may be used 29,30 . These lasers deliver energy preferentially absorbed by endogen pigment over an extremely short duration causing the destruction of the target.…”

“…27,28 Laser pigmentation removal To treat hyperpigmentation, nanosecond Q-switched lasers or picosecond PIC lasers may be used. 29,30 These lasers deliver energy preferentially absorbed by endogen pigment over an extremely short duration causing the destruction of the target. The target can be epidermal such as lentigines, caféau-lait macules, Becker's nevus or dermal such as a nevus of Ota.…”

Efficacy and Safety of Extracellular Matrix on Wound Healing After Picosecond Laser Therapy

“…3 Currently, quality-switched (Q-switched) nanosecond lasers have been widely used to treat benign pigmentation disorders, and their efficacy has been proved by many studies. 4 Compared with nanosecond laser, picosecond laser with a shorter pulse duration can rapidly induce temperature changes and act on target chromophores, reducing related complications. 5 However, the photothermal skin injury associated with picosecond laser can still cause unfavorable effects, including erythema, edema, scabbing, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).…”