Changes of biophysical properties of the skin measured by non-invasive techniques after Q-switched Nd-YAG laser therapy in patients with nevus of Ota.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

The aim of the study was to objectify the effect of a Q-switched Nd-YAG laser on Ota's nevus in view of barrier function, surface contour changes, dermal blood flow, surface color changes and sebum production rate.

METHODS:

Fifteen Korean patients with nevus of Ota (between 14 and 54 years of age) were enrolled. All the patients were treated by Q-switched Nd-YAG laser and followed up for 12 weeks. A reflectance spectrophotometer, a colorimeter, laser Doppler flowmetry, a Tewameter, a Corneometer and a Sebumeter were used to make measurements.

RESULTS:

Pvalues of less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. In skin reflectance measurements, L* values declined for 4 weeks and increased at 12 weeks, indicating that the brightness of the lesions improved. a* values showed a significant increase at 2 and 4 weeks. On the contrary, b* values decreased at 2 weeks. Transepidermal water loss and dermal blood flux showed identical patterns, showing increases at 2 weeks. The water holding capacity decreased at 2 and 4 weeks, and thereafter showed a delayed recovery. Casual sebum production increased at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The loss of skin roughness was observed at 4 weeks, recovering at 12 weeks, although statistically insignificant. Reflex spectrophotometry did not reflect the changing properties of the skin.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest a useful model for evaluating physiologic skin changes after laser surgery in patients with nevus of Ota.

• Authors: S D Kim, S W Kim, C H Huh, D H Suh, H C Eun
• Journal: Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) (Skin Res Technol) Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 262-71 (Nov 2001) ISSN: 0909-752X [Print] England
• PMID: 11737822 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Biophysical Phenomena
• Biophysics
• Electric Capacitance
• Female
• Humans
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional
• Laser Therapy
• Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
• Lasers
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nevus of Ota (radiotherapy)
• Scattering, Radiation
• Sebum (metabolism)
• Skin (blood supply, metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Skin Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Spectrophotometry
• Water Loss, Insensible