Treatment of refractory melasma with the MedLite C6 Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and alpha arbutin: a prospective study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (MedLite C6; HOYA ConBio, Fremont, CA, USA) and 7% alpha arbutin solution (Skin Advance Laboratory, Japan) in the treatment of melasma.

METHODS:

This was a prospective study of 35 refractory melasma cases treated with 10 weekly laser sessions, two monthly follow-up treatments and topical 7% alpha arbutin solution. Clinical photographs and severity grading on a 5-point scale were carried out by an independent observer at each visit.

RESULTS:

At 6 months, 30% of study subjects received results in the excellent clearance category (> 81% reduction of melasma) and 36.7% received good (51-80% reduction) clearance. Mild and transient side effects included discomfort during treatment, erythema, whitening of fine hair and urticaria. Three cases of mottling hypo-pigmentation (8.57%) and two cases of recurrence of melasma (5.71%) were recorded.

CONCLUSION:

Combination therapy with the MedLite C6 and 7% alpha arbutin solution is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for refractory melasma.

• Authors: Niwat Polnikorn
• Journal: Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology (J Cosmet Laser Ther) Vol. 12 Issue 3 Pg. 126-31 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1476-4180 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20482238 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Arbutin

Topics

• Adult
• Arbutin (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Lasers, Solid-State (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Low-Level Light Therapy (adverse effects)
• Melanosis (radiotherapy)
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies