Clinicopathologic efficacy of copper bromide plus/yellow laser (578 nm with 511 nm) for treatment of melasma in Asian patients.
BACKGROUND
Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder in Asians. Although the pathogenesis of melasma is not yet fully understood, there are several hypotheses supporting angiogenetic factors related to some types of melasma.


OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of copper bromide laser in the treatment of Korean women with melasma.


METHODS
Clinical parameters included physician and patient assessment and Melasma Area and Severity Index score. The intensity of pigmentation and erythema was measured using a chromometer. To evaluate histopathologic changes, punch biopsies from melasma were obtained from four patients. Immunohistochemical staining for Melan-A, endothelin 1, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antigen of the melasma lesions was observed.


RESULTS
Mean MASI score decreased dramatically after treatment. Patients exhibited telangiectatic erythema within the melasma lesion. The values of L(*) reflecting intensity of pigmentation increased, and the values of a(*) as the measurement of redness decreased after the treatments. Expression of Melan-A, CD34, endothelin-1, and VEGF decreased after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential application of an antiangiogenetic laser for the treatment of melasma specially accompanied by pronounced telangiectasia in Asian skin is a possible treatment option.
Lee
Hye In
HI
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lim
Yun Young
YY
Kim
Beom Joon
BJ
Kim
Myeung Nam
MN
Min
Hye Jung
HJ
Hwang
Jung Hee
JH
Song
Kye Yong
KY
D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D044466:Asian People; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A