Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Recent evidence suggests that angiogenetic factor involved in the pathogenesis of melasma. Yellow light laser which emits 577 nm may has effect on dermal vasculature and may be of benefit in the treatment of melasma.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of yellow light laser 577 nm for the treatment of melasma in Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV in both male and female patients.
METHODS:
Thirty three patients with melasma were enrolled, from which 30 patients
completed the study (5 males, 25 females), age range of (20-40) years, duration of melasma between (2-10) years. They all are either dermal or mixed according to Wood's light examination, Each patient received 2 sessions of yellow light laser 577 nm treatments to the face at 4 weeks interval. The treatment fluency ranged from 10-15 J/cm2, with the pulse duration of 100 ms for skin type II, III, and 120 ms for skin type IV.
Clinical parameters included patient self assessment of changes in the pigmentations after each treatment session and 8 weeks after the last session and two investigators independently evaluated Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score before each session and 8 weeks after the last session.
RESULT:
Mean MASI score decreased dramatically after treatment from 18.6 ± 7.5 before treatment to 7.6 ± 4.5; eight weeks after the last treatment, with a P-value < 0.001 which is statistically significant. Patient´s self assessment revealed that 14 of the patients were experienced excellent improved, 10 of the patients moderately improved, 4 of the patients mildly improved, no patients had no changes and 2 of the patients develop post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
CONCLUSION:
The use of yellow light diode laser 577nm is an effective and safe treatment option for the demal and mixed type of melasma in both males and female patients with Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV..