Treatment of Melasma Using a Novel 1,927-nm Fractional Thulium Fiber Laser: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The 1,927-nm fractional thulium fiber laser is a safe, effective treatment for melasma.

Current Laser Resurfacing Technologies: A Review that Delves Beneath the Surface

“…This laser class safely and effectively treats epidermal pigmentation, photoaging, melasma, rhytides, atrophic, surgical, and acne-related scarring and additional textural imperfections. [34][35][36][37][38] As with other lasers, the laser targets water in the dermis, gently heating it to cause controlled thermal tissue damage. The fractionated component of the laser allows for a spatially precise, regular pattern of columns of tissue injury to be created across the treated region, retaining the healing function of the epidermis even while targeting both skin layers.…”

Passively Mode-Locked 1.93-㎛ All-Fiberized Femtosecond MOPA Laser Using a Gold-Deposited Side-Polished Fiber

“…Thulium 첨가 광섬유 레이저의 경우 고체형 레이저 대비 광섬유 레이저가 갖고 있는 고유의 장점 인 높은 빔품질, 안정성, 유지보수편의성에 더하여 높은 펌 핑광 효율을 지니고 있어 현재 광섬유 레이저 분야에서 주요 한 연구 주제가 되고 있다. [1][2][3] 일반적으로 펄스 레이저를 구현하는 방법으로는 크게 Q-스위칭 과 모드 잠금 원리를 사용하는 두 가지의 방법이 존 재하며 이 방법들은 외부에서 동기화 구동 신호를 넣어 주느 냐 여부에 따라 능동형 [4][5][6][7][8][9] 과 수동형 [10][11][12][13][14] 으로 나뉜다. 그 중 펨토초 레벨의 극초단 펄스 레이저를 구현하기 위해서는 수 동형 모드잠금 방법을 사용하여야 하는 것으로 알려져 있다.…”

Treatment of Melasma Using a Novel 1,927 nm Fractional Thulium Laser: A Retrospective Analysis of 68 Korean Patients

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16] Recently, the novel wavelength of 1,927 nm delivered by the thulium laser has been studied for the treatment of photoaging 17 and melasma. [18][19][20] This wavelength has a higher absorption coefficient for water than the conventional fractional 1,550 nm lasers, conferring a greater ability to target epidermal structures with precision with minimal damage to the dermis. The other characteristic of this wavelength that makes it well suited for superficial epidermal indications is its reported maximum depth of penetration of 200 μm.…”

“…16,23 By targeting water as its chromophore, the laser induces a dense array of microscopic, columnar thermal zones of tissue injury, and subsequent "melanin shuttling" of underlying epidermal and dermal pigment coupled with remodeling of the pathologic dermis has been proposed as a possible mechanism. 24 Polder et al 18 treated fourteen patients with melasma via a combined fractional 1,550 nm and 1,927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser. The patients underwent three to four laser treatments at 4 week intervals.…”

“…This tendency has also been described in previous trials. [18][19][20] Considering that most melasma treatment modalities are related with slow clinical response and long-term, repeated applications, 8,10,14,21 the quick therapeutic onset of the 1,927 nm fractional laser resurfacing can be a strong advantage in the treatment of melasma. This implies that early clinical improvement of melasma can first be achieved by ablative fractional laser resurfacing and other treatment modalities can be applied after it for maintenance.…”