Researchers from Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, have released a study that says reducing the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) seems to be an excellent approach in successfully treating melasma and significantly reducing hyperpigmentation.

Most therapies designed to treat melasma reduce the hyperpigmentation by targeting the melanocytes with the application of phenols, retinoids, corticosteroids, and their combinations. At times, invasive procedures are performed via lasers and other light sources. However, results from such treatments are most often mixed. According to the new study, the use of a copper bromide dual 578-nm yellow laser can significantly impact the hyperpigmentation seen in melasma lesions.

In the study, 20 female Korean patients with facial melasma were treated with a copper bromide dual 578-nm yellow laser once per week for 3 weeks. The vascular structures within the melasma lesions were targeted. Biopsies of pretreatment and post-treatment melasma lesions were taken for histologic confirmation of study results.Researchers performed immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of factor VIIIa-related antigen, VEGF, and thrombospondin in melasma. In addition, they quantified erythema intensity and pigmentation with a Mexameter (Courage-Khazaka).

The yellow laser educed the size and number of vessels within the melasma lesions, reducing the erythema of the treated lesions, which in turn reduced the perceived pigment within the lesions.

Source: MaxNewsWire