title: Facial resurfacing in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Though post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is probably the most common complication of laser resurfacing and appears to correlate directly with the intensity of the patient's natural pigmentation, there is very little data that specifically addresses the risks of dyspigmentation in more darkly pigmented patients (Fitzpatrick skin types IV and above). The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term dyspigmentation of patients with skin type IV having radial laser resurfacing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of the clinical efficacy, incidence of dyspigmentation and other adverse effects, as well as the pre/post-operative protocol of 22 patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV who were a minimum of 1 year post-operative following facial laser resurfacing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average patient achieved greater than 50% improvement, indicating adequate treatment being delivered. PIH occurred in 68% of patients, starting 1 month post-operative and lasting 3.8 months. There was no correlation to pre-treatment or type of laser used as far as incidence of PIH. True hypopigmentation was not seen in this group of 22 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PIH is the most common complication of facial resurfacing in patients with skin type IV. It is not preventable by choice of laser or skin care regimen pre-operative, but appears to respond to appropriate treatment once it has developed.
authors.affiliation: Pornkasem Skin and Laser Center, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Suchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sriprachya-anunt
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Marchell
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Mitchel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Rostan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide