title: Melasma treatment in Korean women using a 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with low pulse energy.
abstract: The efficacy of a 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser with low pulse energy in the treatment of melasma in 25 women was assessed by retrospective analysis of clinical photographs and patient satisfaction rates. Follow-up results 2 months after the last treatment revealed that, as defined by our grading scale, 11 of the 25 patients (44%) had marked clinical improvement: 7 of these (28%) had near-total clinical improvement, 5 had moderate clinical improvement and 2 had minimal to no improvement. Our data suggest that the use of a QS Nd:YAG laser with low pulse energy is an effective, easily performed treatment for melasma in selected East Asian patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D007834:Lasers; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction