The role of 755-nm alexandrite picosecond laser in melasma management

AbstractMelasma is a skin dyspigmentation condition that disproportionately affects women, particularly those of Latino, Black, and Asian ethnicities, significantly impacting their quality of life. Efforts to identify effective treatment options have led to the exploration of picosecond laser technology which utilizes brief pulse durations to break down pigment while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissue. The 755-nm alexandrite picosecond laser, currently FDA approved for benign pigmented lesion removal, including melasma, is a promising solution. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of the 755-nm alexandrite picosecond laser both as a stand-alone treatment for melasma and in combination with topical agents. We conducted a PubMed search using “755-nm picosecond” AND “melasma,” “755-nm picosecond” AND “hydroquinone,” and “755-nm picosecond” AND “tranexamic acid.” English-written studies examining this laser as monotherapy or in combination with the topical agents were included. Those not meeting the criteria or lac king data related to melasma improvement were excluded. Monotherapy with the 755-nm picosecond laser led to a 50–75% improvement in melasma appearance in 40% of participants and a significant reduction in the average Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score (p <  0.001) in all patients of one study. Notably, the use of topical tranexamic acid (TTA) in conjunction with the picosecond laser exhibited the most signific...

Source: Archives of Dermatological Research - December 27, 2023 Category: Dermatology Source Type: research