The removal of cutaneous pigmented lesions with the Q-switched ruby laser and the Q-switched neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. A comparative study.
BACKGROUND
The Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) (694 nm) has been used successfully in the removal of tattoos and a variety of cutaneous pigmented lesions. The frequency-doubled Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (QSNd:YAG) (1064 and 532 nm) has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of tattoos, however, little has been published regarding the QSNd:YAG laser in the removal of cutaneous pigmented lesions.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and side effect profile of the QSRL and the frequency-doubled QSNd:YAG lasers in the removal of cutaneous pigmented lesions, including lentigines, café-au-lait macules, nevus of Ota, nevus spilus, Becker's nevus, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and melasma.


METHODS
Twenty patients with pigmented lesions were treated with the QSRL and the frequency-doubled QSNd:YAG lasers. Clinical lightening of the lesion was assessed 1 month after a single treatment. Side effects and patient satisfaction were also evaluated.


RESULTS
A minimum of 30% lightening was achieved in all patients after only one treatment with either the QSRL or the frequency-doubled QSNd:YAG laser. The QSRL seems to provide a slightly better treatment response than the QSNd:YAG laser. Neither laser caused scarring or textural change of the skin. Most patients found the QSRL to be more painful during treatment, but the QSNd:YAG laser caused more postoperative discomfort.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the QSRL and the frequency-doubled QSND:YAG laser are safe and effective methods of treatment of epidermal and dermal pigmented lesions.
Tse
Y
Y
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.
Levine
V J
VJ
McClain
S A
SA
Ashinoff
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D007911:Lentigo / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009354:Neodymium; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015019:Yttrium
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D009354:Neodymium; D015019:Yttrium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide