Picosecond laser treatment for Asian skin pigments: a review

Abstract

Picosecond (PS) laser is a novel dermatological laser technology that is useful in treating various cutaneous benign pigmentary disorders (BPDs), including freckles, solar lentigines, melasma, Hori macule, nevus of Ota, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and tattoo. Treating Asian BPDs can be troublesome as Asian skin is typically associated with a high incidence of laser complications, such as burns, hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation, and textural changes, which can result in various cosmetic and even psychosocial problems. This study aimed to describe the PS laser treatment for common Asian BPDs compared with traditional laser treatments. Peer-reviewed articles published from 1965 to 2018 were identified from PubMed and Google Scholar, and qualitatively reviewed with respect to the treatment of Asian BPDs. PS lasers achieved greater effectiveness and potentially fewer complications in the treatment of Asian BPDs through breakthrough mechanisms including photomechanical effects and laser-induced optical breakdown. PS laser is especially suitable and effective for treating various BPDs in Asian skin.

A Randomized, Double Blinded, Split-Face Study of the Efficacy of Using a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with Anti-Inflammatory Agent to Reduce Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation After Picosecond Laser

“…A short pulse duration of picosecond laser yields less tissue damage to the tissue. 14 The degree of hyperpigmentation in this subject was obviously higher in the sunscreen B side. This is arguably due to the anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of the ingredients in sunscreen A.…”

Medical aesthetics – Current trends and a review of its applications

“…Fixed-drug eruptions [ Figure 12 ], drug-induced argyrosis, and chrysiasis, ochronosis, and lichen planus pigmentosus respond well to 1064 nm Qs Nd: YAG and low-fluence 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond laser. [ 82 ] Skin toning treatment with 1064 nm Qs Nd: YAG 1.8–4.6 J/cm 2 in up to 10 passes and multiple sessions alone or combination with tacrolimus have shown good response. [ 82 - 84 ] Bhari et al .…”

“…[ 82 ] Skin toning treatment with 1064 nm Qs Nd: YAG 1.8–4.6 J/cm 2 in up to 10 passes and multiple sessions alone or combination with tacrolimus have shown good response. [ 82 - 84 ] Bhari et al . [ 85 ] reported reduced tyrosinase activity with the use of 1064 nm Q-switched Nd-YAG laser, with no significant change in erythema or pigmentation index.…”

Comparative Effectiveness of 20% Azelaic Acid with 1064-nm Nd:YAG Picosecond Laser vs Azelaic Acid Alone for Melasma Treatment in Thai Female Patients: A Split-Face Study

“…The picosecond laser, a newer generation of laser with a short pulse duration, contributes to targeted pigment destruction. Its photoacoustic effect is more pronounced than its photothermal effect, resulting in less surrounding tissue injury and reduced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation development compared to conventional Q-switched laser (Kamal et al, 2021;Wong, 2019). At present, the available wavelengths used for picosecond lasers are 532 nm, 755 nm, and 1064 nm (Trivedi et al, 2017).…”