title: Treatment of infraorbital dark circles using a low-fluence Q-switched 1,064-nm laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (QSNY) laser in treating infraorbital dark circles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty women with infraorbital dark circles (predominant color dark brown) participated in this open-label study. Participants underwent eight sessions of low-fluence QSNY laser treatment at 4.2 J/cm(2) at 3- to 4-day intervals. A spot size of 3.5 mm was used, with a pulse duration of 8 ns. The melanin deposition in the lesional skin was observed in vivo using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). Morphologic changes were evaluated using a global evaluation, an overall self-assessment, a narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer, and a skin hydration measurement instrument.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six of 30 patients showed global improvement that they rated as excellent or good. Twenty-eight rated their overall satisfaction as excellent or good. The melanin index indicated a substantial decrease, from 225.84 at baseline to 182.65 (p < .05). RCM results showed a dramatic decrease of melanin deposition in the upper dermis. Adverse effects were minimal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The characteristic finding for dark-brown infraorbital dark circles is melanin deposition in the upper dermis. Treatment of infraorbital dark circles using low-fluence 1,064-nm QSNY laser is safe and effective. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
authors: Department of Dermatology, No 1 Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors: Tian-Hua
authors: TH
authors: Xu
authors: Zhen-Hai
authors: ZH
authors: Yang
authors: Yuan-Hong
authors: YH
authors: Li
authors: John Zs
authors: JZ
authors: Chen
authors: Shu
authors: S
authors: Guo
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Wu
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Liu
authors: Xing-Hua
authors: XH
authors: Gao
authors: Chun-Di
authors: CD
authors: He
authors: Long
authors: L
authors: Geng
authors: Ting
authors: T
authors: Xiao
authors: Hong-Duo
authors: HD
authors: Chen