The Split-Face Comparison of the Combined Er-YAG Laser and Hydroquinone 4% With Hydroquinone 4% Alone in the Treatment of Melasma in Iranian Patients. A Prospective, Interventional Case Study
Namazi N, Hesami A, Ketabi Y.
Journal of lasers in medical sciences.11(1):70.
Introduction:
Melasma is one of the most common skin pigmentation disorders, which mostly affects the facial skin and has a considerable psychological impact on the patients. Melasma management has been one of the controversial issues in dermatology. We aimed to compare the combined treatment of the Er: YAG (erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser plus hydroquinone (HQ) 4% with HQ 4% alone in the treatment of melasma.
Materials and Methods:
Twenty-nine patients were treated with the combined Er: YAG laser and HQ 4% on one side of the face with HQ 4% alone on the other side. Three sessions of the laser rat 4-week intervals. The outcome was calculated using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI). Results: The side that received the combined treatment (laser + HQ 4%) showed a statistically significant reduction in MASI compared to the side treated with HQ 4% alone.
Conclusion:
Our study suggests the superiority of the combination of the Er: YAG laser and HQ 4% in the treatment of melasma compared to HQ 4% alone.
Keywords: Er: YAG laser; Hydroquinone; Melasma.