title: Effect of an epidermal growth factor-containing cream on postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after Q-switched 532-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical application of epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes wound healing and may reduce the risk of laser-induced postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of an EGF-containing cream on the incidence of laser-induced PIH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five Korean patients with senile lentigines were recruited and underwent 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment. Postoperatively, patients applied either an EGF-containing cream or a control cream to the laser-treated area. Skin color and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured on Days 0, 3, 7, and 35 using a Mexameter and Tewameter, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EGF-containing cream resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in the laser-induced increase in TEWL (p = .052 on Day 7) but significantly decreased the melanin index and incidence of PIH on Day 35 (p = .031 and p = .027, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidermal growth factor-containing creams may be an effective measure to prevent laser treatment-induced PIH in Asian patients.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Dermatology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea; †Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Gyeong-Hun
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Do Young
authors.initials: do Y
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Hye-Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Chong Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Mi Woo
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jee Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kee Chan
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Sung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor