Prospective study on the treatment of postburn hyperpigmentation by intense pulsed light.
OBJECTIVE
Postburn hyperpigmentation is a common phenomenon among Asian especially over grafted areas and sometimes over donor sites and healed wounds without skin graft. This condition is difficult to treat and can cause severe psychological distress. Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used to treat melanocytic lesions with promising result. The role of IPL in treating postburn hyperpigmentation has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and complication of IPL in the treatment of postburn hyperpigmentation prospectively.


METHODS
Nineteen Chinese patients with postburn hyperpigmentation were treated by IPL. There were 14 females and 5 males. Their age ranged from 8 to 51 years with a mean age of 29.4 +/- 11.6 years. The cutoff filters of 550, 570, and 590 nm were used for 3-7 treatments at intervals of 3-4 weeks. Patients were treated with an energy fluence of 28-46 J/cm(2), pulse width of 1.7-4 milliseconds, double pulse mode, and a delay of 15-40 milliseconds.


RESULTS
Treatment results and complications were evaluated and scored after each treatment. Over 78% of the patients showed more than 50% clinical clearance and nearly 32% of the patients were able to achieve more than 75% clearing. Although two patients had no clinical response, one patient had 100% clearing. Three patients developed blisters and one patient had erythema that all resolved within 1 week without leaving permanent marks. They have been followed-up from 11-32 months and there was no recurrence of the hyperpigmentation.


CONCLUSIONS
IPL is effective and safe in treating postburn hyperpigmentation in Asian patients.
Ho
Wai Sun
WS
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. hows@cuhk.edu.hk
Chan
Henry H
HH
Ying
Shun Yuen
SY
Chan
Pik Chu
PC
Burd
Andrew
A
King
Walter W K
WW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors