Repigmentation of Hypopigmented Scars Using Combination of Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Latanoprost Vs. Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser Alone.
BACKGROUND
Fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) can treat hypopigmented scars. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog used to treat glaucoma. It can cause adverse effects, such as periocular hyperpigmentation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of latanoprost plus CO2 laser on the repigmentation of hypopigmented scars.


METHODS
28 patients with hypopigmented scars were divided randomly into two groups. The patients in group A were treated in six sessions (1-month intervals) with 10600-nm fractional CO2 laser plus latanoprost 0.005% and those of group B fractionated CO2 laser plus placebo (distilled water). Digital photographs were taken at baseline and 3 months after the last treatment session. The blinded dermatologist compared the photographs and evaluated the efficacy of treatment in the hypopigmented scars using a 4-scale point (grade 1-4). Patient satisfaction was scored from 0 to 10 on a visual analog scale.


RESULTS
Follow-up results 12 weeks after the last treatment session demonstrated that 11 of the 14 patients in group A had more than 50% improvement in hypopigmentation The difference in improvement of the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.027). The mean of the VAS scores of patients in group A was 6.50 ± 1.45 and in group B 4.57 ± 1.6. The difference in mean satisfaction of the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.003). Side effects were mild and resolved within 1 to 5 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The fractional CO2 laser resurfacing plus topical latanoprost can be used as a safe and efficacious method to treat hypopigmented scars.
Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Amir Hossein
AH
Siadat
Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Reza
R
Rezaei
Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Ali
A
Asilian
Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Dermatology, Medicine Students' Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Bahareh
B
Abtahi-Naeini
Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mehrdad
M
Rakhshanpour
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
Mehdi
M
Raei
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Seyed Mohsen
SM
Hosseini
Fractionated carbon dioxide laser; fractionated carbon dioxide laser; hypopigmented scars; latanoprost