Laser therapy for solar lentigines is growing in popularity with less downtime and complications in comparison to topical and physical therapies. In this study, 20 Asian subjects were treated with the novel dual-wavelength, dual-pulse duration picosecond laser. Treatment sessions involving the pigmented lesion were repeated up to 3 laser sessions 4-6 weeks apart depending on their clinical response.

The clinical report of this study, published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM), the official journal of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Inc (ASLMS), was selected as the June 2019 Editor’s Choice.

The study, led by Henry Chan, MD, PhD, FRCP is titled “A Prospective Study in the Treatment of Lentigines in Asian Skin Using 532?nm Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser.”

“This work further illustrates the use of picosecond laser to treat lentigines, a most common condition among Asians. While it is effective, risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation remains to be an issue and due to climate difference, it is higher than previously reported,” Chan says, in a media release from American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Inc.

Outcome measurements included 5-grade Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) score, the improvement rate of relative Melanin index, subjective measures of pain, and overall patient satisfaction. The efficacy was studied, and any adverse effects were recorded. It was shown that the novel dual-wavelength, dual-pulse duration laser for removal of solar lentigines in darker skin type appears to be safe and effective.

[Source: American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Inc]