Long-pulse pulsed dye laser delivered with compression for treatment of facial lentigines.
OBJECTIVE
The 595-nm long-pulsed dye laser (LPDL) has been used for the treatment of vascular lesions, and although it is well absorbed by blood, it is also well absorbed by melanin. To utilize this device for the treatment of facial lentigines, we attached a glass window to the tip of the laser's handpiece, allowing compression of the skin during treatment. This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy and complications of using a LPDL delivered with compression for the treatment of facial lentigines in Asian persons.


METHODS
Fifty-four Asian patients with facial lentigines were enrolled in this study. The laser settings included fluences between 9 and 13 J/cm(2) and a constant pulse duration of 1.5 ms. Cryogen spray cooling was not used.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients showed excellent results, 14 patients showed good results, and 2 patients showed fair results. Hyperpigmentation was seen in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
LPDL delivered with the compression method is effective in the treatment of facial lentigines in Asian patients, and the side effect profile is minimal. The compression technique allows the traditional "vascular" LPDL to be used for treating a variety of pigmented lesions.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. tkono@prs.twmu.ac.jp
Taro
T
Kono
Henry H
HH
Chan
William Frederick
WF
Groff
Hiroyuki
H
Sakurai
Masaki
M
Takeuchi
Takashi
T
Yamaki
Kazutaka
K
Soejima
Motohiro
M
Nozaki
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007911:Lentigo / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies