title: Laser treatment of solar lentigines on dorsum of hands: QS Ruby laser versus ablative CO2 fractional laser - a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lentigines solares (LS) on the dorsum of hands are often esthetically disturbing. Q-switched ruby laser treatment is highly effective in the treatment of these lesions. Ablative fractional photothermolysis may be a suitable alternative. We compared the Q-switched ruby laser with ablative CO2 fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of solar lentigines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of 694nm Q-switched ruby laser (Sinon) with the ablative 10,600nm CO2 fractional laser (Quantel Excel O2) in an intra-individual side-to-side comparison in the treatment of LS on the dorsum of hands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients were included in the study. The hands of each patient were randomized for treatment with the two laser systems. Three treatment sessions were scheduled at weeks 0, 4 and 8. Evaluations by patients, treating physician and blinded experts were scheduled at weeks 0, 4, 8, 16 and 24.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Q-switched ruby laser was significantly more efficacious than the ablative CO2 fractional laser for removing LS on the dorsum of hands (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this first study on this topic, the Q-switched ruby laser was superior to the ablative CO2 fractional laser in the treatment of lentigines solares on the dorsum of hands.
authors: University Hospital Zürich, Department of Dermatology, Gloriastr. 31 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: Nicola L
authors: NL
authors: Schoenewolf
authors: University Hospital Zürich, Department of Dermatology, Gloriastr. 31 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: Jürg
authors: J
authors: Hafner
authors: University Hospital Zürich, Department of Dermatology, Gloriastr. 31 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Dummer
authors: University Hospital Zürich, Department of Dermatology, Gloriastr. 31 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors: Inja
authors: I
authors: Bogdan Allemann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: CO2 fractional laser; Q-switched ruby laser; lentigines solares