Efficacy of 694-nm Q-Switched Ruby Fractional Laser Treatment of Melasma in Female Korean Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND Melasma is a common acquired symmetrical hypermelanosis of sun-exposed areas of the skin. Although the classical Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) has been used successfully for the removal of tattoos and for the treatment of cutaneous pigmented lesions, its efficacy for melasma remains controversial. OBJECTIVE We used repeat low-dose fractional QSRL treatment for melasma and analyzed the clinical results. METHODS Fifteen Korean women with melasma were enrolled. Each patient received six low-dose fractional QSRL treatments to the face at 2-week intervals. Two investigators independently evaluated Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores before each session and 4 and 16 weeks after the final session. The intensities of pigmentation and erythema were assessed by measuring skin reflectance using a tristimulus color analyzer. RESULTS Mean MASI score decreased from 15.1 +/- 3.3 before treatment to 10.6 +/- 3.9 16 weeks after the final treatment. The lightness of pigmentation (L-value) increased from 56.6 +/- 3.5 before treatment to 59.9 +/- 2.8 16 weeks after the final treatment. CONCLUSIONS Multiple treatment sessions of low-dose fractional QSRL may be an effective strategy for the treatment of dermal or mixed-type melasma.