Tse 1994  Title: The removal of cutaneous pigmented lesions
with the Q-switched ruby laser and the Q-switched neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet
laser. A comparative study.
Author: Tse Y, Levine VJ, McClain SA, Ashinoff
R
Journal: J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1994 Dec;20(12):795-800
PMID: 7798410, UI: 95096287
Affiliated institution: Ronald O.
Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical
Center, New York 10016.
Cited in:
Comment in: Dermatol Surg 1995 Nov;21(11):990
BACKGROUND. The Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) (694 nm) has been
used successfully in the removal of tattoos and a variety of cutaneous
pigmented lesions. The frequency-doubled Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet
laser (QSNd:YAG) (1064 and 532 nm) has also been shown to be effective
in the treatment of tattoos, however, little has been published
regarding the QSNd:YAG laser in the removal of cutaneous pigmented
lesions.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy
and side effect profile of the QSRL and the frequency-doubled
QSNd:YAG lasers in the removal of cutaneous pigmented lesions,
including lentigines, cafe-au-lait macules, nevus of Ota, nevus
spilus, Becker's nevus, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and
melasma.
METHODS. Twenty patients with pigmented lesions were treated
with the QSRL and the frequency-doubled QSNd:YAG lasers. Clinical
lightening of the lesion was assessed 1 month after a single treatment.
Side effects and patient satisfaction were also evaluated.
RESULTS. A minimum of 30% lightening was achieved in all patients
after only one treatment with either the QSRL or the frequency-doubled
QSNd:YAG laser. The QSRL seems to provide a slightly better treatment
response than the QSNd:YAG laser. Neither laser caused scarring
or textural change of the skin. Most patients found the QSRL to
be more painful during treatment, but the QSNd:YAG laser caused
more postoperative discomfort.
CONCLUSION. Both the QSRL and the frequency-doubled QSND:YAG
laser are safe and effective methods of treatment of epidermal
and dermal pigmented lesions.
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