title: Effect of low-level laser therapy on wound healing after depigmentation procedure: A clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing after depigmentation procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 12 patients with bilateral melanin hyperpigmentation were treated with surgical stripping using a blade. After completion of the surgical process and bleeding stasis, any of the symmetrical surgical sites was randomly assigned for LLLT (test site) using a defocused diode laser at 1 mm distance for 5 min. After every laser exposure, the surgical site was coated with plaque disclosing solution (erythrosine) on the 3(rd), 7(th), and 15(th) day. A photograph of the surgical site was taken using a Digital SLR Camera, which was placed at 30 cm distance at 55 mm zoom, 1/100 shutter speed, f 14 aperture size, and ISO 4000 with a ring flash. The area of the stained parts of the photographs was evaluated using image analysis software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At day 3, test site showed 1.26 ± 0.23 mm(2) and control site showed 1.45 ± 0.21 mm(2) stain uptake by the tissue which was statistically significant. At day 7 and day 15, the test sites exhibited 1.24 ± 0.30 mm(2) and 1.12 ± 0.25 mm(2) stain uptake, whereas the control site showed 1.37 ± 25 mm(2) and 1.29 ± 0.28 mm(2) staining, respectively, which were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, the findings revealed that LLLT promotes wound healing after depigmentation procedure until the 3(rd) day. On the 7(th) and 15(th) day, the difference in healing was not statistically significant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Kirti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Arundeep Kaur
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lamba
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Farrukh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gaba
keywords: Biomodulation; depigmentation; low-level laser therapy; wound healing