Combination of fractional QSRL and IPL for melasma treatment in Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
Melasma is the most common and distressing pigmentary disorder presenting to dermatology clinics. Various treatment protocols for melasma have been suggested in the previous literature and applied in various clinical settings. However, no satisfactory therapy has been widely accepted.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficiency and safety of a combination treatment with fractional Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) and intense pulsed light (IPL) for melasma in Chinese population.


METHODS
Fifty-three Chinese melasma patients were enrolled in this study. Each patient underwent 2 courses of treatments at 2-week interval. One course was composed of 3 successive sessions of 694-nm fractional QSRL at intervals of two weeks followed by one IPL. The efficacy was evaluated by non-invasive measurements and subjective assessments. The adverse effects were recorded.


RESULTS
Mean melanin index (MI) and erythema index (EI) significantly decreased from 216.1 and 381.8 pre-treatment to 167.8 and 310.3 post-treatment, respectively. Mean melasma area and severity index (MASI) decreased dramatically from 14.66 before treatment to 5.70 after the final treatment. These values remained at low levels at 3-month follow-up. The percentage of patients who achieved moderate or significant improvements was 73.6%. Adverse effects of QSRL and IPL were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination treatment of fractional QSRL and IPL would be a promising modality for managing melasma in Chinese patients.
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.|b Department of Cosmetology and Dermatology , The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities , Tongliao, Inner Mongolia , China.
La-Ga
LG
Tong
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.
Yan
Y
Wu
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.
Bin
B
Wang
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.
Xue-Gang
XG
Xu
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.
Han-Deng
HD
Tu
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.
Hong-Duo
HD
Chen
a Department of Dermatology , No.1 Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang, Liaoning , China.
Yuan-Hong
YH
Li
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062325:Intense Pulsed Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Fractional Q-switched ruby laser; intense pulsed light; melasma