Pigmentation-dependent side effects to copper vapor laser and argon laser treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Melanin is a limiting factor for obtaining beneficial results in dermatological treatment of vascular malformations. The aim of our study was to establish a relation between pretreatment skin pigmentation and the occurrence of side effects.


METHODS
Thirteen human volunteers selected to have a varying degree of skin pigmentation were laser-treated on the inside of the brachium with an argon laser (AL, 488 nm and 514.5 nm) and a copper vapor laser (CVL, 578 nm), both connected to a Hexascan. Total exposure areas were 1.26 cm2 and beam diameters were 1 mm. Three intensities were used, 0.7, 1.0, and 1.3 W. Pulse duration was 200 ms, resulting in fluences of 17.8, 25.5, and 33.1 J/cm2. Pretreatment skin pigmentation was objectified by skin reflectance measurements.


RESULTS
At 1, 2, and 6 months after laser treatment, significant correlations were demonstrated between pretreatment skin pigmentation and laser-induced pigmentary changes and scar formation. At the 6-month assessment, the AL induced significantly higher scores of clinically evaluated scar formation as compared with the CVL (1.0 and 1.3 W/spot) and tended to induce higher clinical scores of pigmentary changes (not significant, ns).


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend skin pigmentation to be taken into consideration in dermatological laser treatment of vascular malformations.
Haedersdal
M
M
Department of Dermatology, National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Wulf
H C
HC
D000328:Adult; D001128:Argon; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000002:abnormalities; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003300:Copper; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000528:radiation effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects
D008543:Melanins; D001128:Argon; D003300:Copper