title: Efficacy and safety of 532-nm and 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment of frictional dermal melanosis over bony prominences (Lifa disease).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Frictional dermal melanosis over bony prominences (Lifa disease) is a common pigmentary skin disorder in Iraqi patients. Q-switched lasers are the gold standard treatment of correcting pigmentation; among them are the 532-nm and 1,064-nm lasers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of these lasers in the treatment of hyperpigmentation due to Lifa disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, comparative, controlled, split-lesion clinical trial study was designed. Nineteen female patients with clinical diagnosis of Lifa disease were enrolled. Each patient was treated for 3 sessions at 2-week intervals. A 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was used on the left side and 1,064-nm on the right side of each lesion. Both objective and subjective parameters were assessed 1 and 3 months after the last treatment session. Darkness score, photographic assessment and patient satisfaction, and improvement of itch were recorded, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients completed the study. The color score changes of both sides demonstrated that although both lasers were effective in reducing the pigmentation, the 1,064-nm wavelength had a more significant response. Similar results were obtained for the photographic evaluations and patient satisfaction scores. These changes were sustained throughout the 3 month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both lasers were effective in the treatment of pigmentation abnormalities caused by Lifa disease. However, the efficacy was greater with the 1,064-nm wavelength.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq; †Department of Dermatology, Al-Sadir Medical City, Najaf Health Directorate, Najaf, Iraq.
authors.forename: Muhsin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Dhalimi
authors.forename: Azar H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Maluki
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tauma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010858:Pigmentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index