Mohammed Al-Haddab1,2,3, Azhar Alali1,2,3, Homaid Al-Otiabi1,2,3. 1. Dr. Al-Haddab is with King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. Dr. Alali is with the Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia in Medinah, Saudi Arabia. 3. Dr. Al-Otiabi is with the Ministry of Health in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lip hyperpigmentation is a common cosmetic problem with multiple causative factors and limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess the efficacy and safety of Q-switched (QS) double-frequency 532-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy for dark lips. METHODS: A prospective pilot study of 24 patients with lip hyperpigmenation treated with a QS double-frequency 532-nm Nd:YAG laser was performed. Photographs taken before and three months after the laser therapy sessions were evaluated for improvement and/or any complication by two blinded dermatologists using the color score chart and a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were asked to assess their pain and satisfaction scores following the procedure using a VAS. RESULTS: The mean VAS scores of the photographs decreased by 10.18 percent, from a baseline of 6.09±1.53 to 5.47±1.72 (p=0.16). Also, the color score decreased by 9.38 percent, from 2.44±0.61 to 2.23±0.71 points (p=0.23) after the last treatment. Overall, the photographic assessment indicated that, of the 24 participants, 14 (58.3%) showed moderate to excellent improvement, four (16.7%) showed mild or no improvement, and six (25.0%) showed worsening/mottling of the pigmentation. The overall mean pain and satisfaction scores were 4.08±1.14 and 6.50±2.92, respectively. CONCLUSION: QS Nd:YAG 532-nm laser therapy appears to be a safe and moderately effective treatment for hyperpigmentation of the lips. Further studies should evaluate a larger number of patients and undertake a longer period of follow-up.
BACKGROUND: Lip hyperpigmentation is a common cosmetic problem with multiple causative factors and limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess the efficacy and safety of Q-switched (QS) double-frequency 532-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy for dark lips. METHODS: A prospective pilot study of 24 patients with lip hyperpigmenation treated with a QS double-frequency 532-nm Nd:YAG laser was performed. Photographs taken before and three months after the laser therapy sessions were evaluated for improvement and/or any complication by two blinded dermatologists using the color score chart and a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were asked to assess their pain and satisfaction scores following the procedure using a VAS. RESULTS: The mean VAS scores of the photographs decreased by 10.18 percent, from a baseline of 6.09±1.53 to 5.47±1.72 (p=0.16). Also, the color score decreased by 9.38 percent, from 2.44±0.61 to 2.23±0.71 points (p=0.23) after the last treatment. Overall, the photographic assessment indicated that, of the 24 participants, 14 (58.3%) showed moderate to excellent improvement, four (16.7%) showed mild or no improvement, and six (25.0%) showed worsening/mottling of the pigmentation. The overall mean pain and satisfaction scores were 4.08±1.14 and 6.50±2.92, respectively. CONCLUSION: QS Nd:YAG 532-nm laser therapy appears to be a safe and moderately effective treatment for hyperpigmentation of the lips. Further studies should evaluate a larger number of patients and undertake a longer period of follow-up.
Authors: Hussein M Alshamrani; Mohammed A Alsolami; Abdulaziz M Alshehri; Anas K Salman; Mamdouh W Alharbi; Aseel J Alzuhayri; Nouf T Mleeh Journal: Ann Saudi Med Date: 2019 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 1.526