title: Treatment of infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis with a 2790-nm erbium: yttrium scandium gallium garnet laser: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although many Asian atopic patients have orbital darkening symptom and the demand to treat this condition is increasing, little has been reported in the literature on the treatment of infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 2790-nm erbium:yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er:YSGG) laser therapy for reducing infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten Korean patients over 21 year with mild atopic dermatitis and infraorbital dark circles were enrolled in this study. Patients who need active atopic dermatitis treatments are excluded because of the possibility of aggravation after laser treatment. They were treated for dark circles using a 2790-nm Er:YSGG laser. The treatment parameters were 1.8-2.2 J/cm² fluence, 6-mm spot size, and 0.3-ms pulse width with 10% overlap over the infraorbital areas once with a 4-week interval between treatments. Efficacy was assessed with a quartile grading score ranging from 0 to 5 by a blinded investigator, and the patients also documented their degree of satisfaction with the same grading score. All possible side effects were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical assessment showed 74.5% (2.7) and 72.5% (2.5) improvements, and the patient satisfaction scale scores improved an average of 74% (2.4) and 71.5% (2.3) at 2 months and 4 months after treatment, respectively. There were no severe side effects or aggravation of atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that 2790-nm Er:YSGG laser therapy can be effectively and safely used in the treatment of infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis patients.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Kui Young
authors: KY
authors: Park
authors: In Young
authors: IY
authors: Oh
authors: Nam Ju
authors: NJ
authors: Moon
authors: Seong Jun
authors: SJ
authors: Seo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D056910:Republic of Korea