Effects of topical application of B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic acid monotherapy and in combination with fractional CO2laser treatment for benign hand hyperpigmentation treatment.
BACKGROUND
Hand solar lentigines are frequent benign lesions of elderly population, requiring longtime treatments with topical agents or laser to lighten.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of CO2fractional laser photothermolysis followed by topical application of B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic acid vs. only topical B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic acid application for hand solar lentigines treatment.


METHODS
Hand solar lentigines of eleven volunteers were divided into two groups: Group A spots received CO2fractional laser photothermolysis followed by 4 weeks topical application of B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic acid, and Group B spots received only 4 weeks topical treatments. All hands were photographed, and hand solar lentigines scanned with dermatoscope at the beginning of the study (T0), 1 month after laser treatment (T1), and at the end of the study (T2) to document spots dimensions and color. A blinded dermatologist evaluated dermoscopic T0and T2images. The considered variables were assessed for significance by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
In all volunteers, investigators and blinded dermatologist's evaluation hand solar lentigines features improved, with no statistical differences in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical application of B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic acid is effective to lighten hand solar lentigines after 4 weeks of treatment, with or without a previous fractional laser photothermolysis.
NESMOS Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Roma, Rome, Italy.
Francesca Romana
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1578-4955
FR
Grippaudo
Dermatology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Pier Paolo
PP
Di Russo
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
C508220:4-n-butylresorcinol; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D012118:Resorcinols; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid
dermatoscope; lasers and light sources; solar lentigines; topical agents