One-pass resurfacing with a combined-mode erbium: YAG/CO2 laser system: a study in 102 patients

BACKGROUND: The CO2 and erbium: YAG (Er: YAG) lasers have been used for skin resurfacing. A recently developed system combines pulsed ablative Er: YAG and continuous wave subablative CO2 wavelengths in one console. OBJECTIVES: To assess the potential benefits of this system. METHODS: The study follows 102 women, skin types I-V, with 26 full face, 48 perioral and 28 periocular resurfacing procedures. The ablative Er: YAG pulse (350 micros, 29 J cm(-2)) is followed immediately by a non-ablative CO2 laser shot (4-6 W, 50 ms) through the same collimated handpiece (3-mm diameter spot), 50% overlapping, repetition rate 10 Hz, giving two-pass equivalence with one single pass. RESULTS: Patients scored the results as very good (n = 67), good (n = 25) and fair (n = 10). Mild but successfully resolved side-effects occurred in only four patients. The 2-month histology showed a good band of new collagen tightening the overlying healthy epidermis. Follow-up periods ranged from 1.5 to 2 years (mean +/- SD 1.76 +/- 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: This device at the above settings offers speedy resurfacing without compromising the quality of the procedure for the patient, and may well satisfy the basic requirements of laser skin resurfacing.     

Novel technique to treat melasma in Chinese: The combination of 2940-nm fractional Er:YAG and 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

Melasma is one of the most common pigmented lesions in Chinese women. Although topical therapies are the mainstay treatment, lasers are being used increasingly to treat pigmented lesions. Laser treatment of melasma is however still controversial. This is because lasers have not been able to produce complete clearance of melasma and recurrence rates are high. Laser treatments also cause complications such as hypopigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In this article, we report on a novel technique using a combination of fractional 2940-nm Er:YAG and 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers. We achieved a rapid improvement in two cases of melasma in Chinese type III skin. The improvement was seen rapidly within a month of treatment. Follow-up at 6 months showed sustained results with no complications. This novel technique is able to safely confer excellent and sustained clearance within a short treatment time.     

Erbium:YAG cutaneous laser resurfacing

The short-pulsed Er:YAG laser system is an excellent ablative tool for cutaneous resurfacing. This system is most efficacious for patients with milder cutaneous involvement, including mild photoinduced facial rhytides, mildly atrophic scars, and textural changes caused by fibrosis and dermatochalasis. The Er:YAG laser cannot achieve the same dramatic clinical and histologic improvements produced with the CO2 laser but does offer some distinct advantages that make it a valuable addition to the laser surgeon's armamentarium. The Er:YAG laser, because of its higher affinity for water-containing tissues, effects a much finer level of tissue ablation. Although erbium laser resurfacing results in decreased postoperative morbidity with a shorter recovery period, it cannot effect the same degree of improvement in photodamaged skin as can the CO2 laser. Excellent results, however, can be achieved with this laser, up to 50% or more overall clinical improvement, in patients with milder photodamage and scarring (Glogau classes I and II). In darker-skinned patients, the Er:YAG laser is often the preferred treatment modality. Continued research in the field has already led to the development of longer-pulsed Er:YAG lasers, which offer a compromise between the CO2 laser and the short-pulsed Er:YAG lasers in terms of clinical benefits while maintaining the safety profile of the traditional short-pulsed system. In addition, many surgeons now use a combination approach with the CO2 and Er:YAG lasers in an effort to maximize collagen contraction in certain areas and limit postoperative morbidity. As more research is conducted within the field of cutaneous resurfacing, newer systems will be developed in the continuing effort to create the ideal laser system--one which ameliorates the signs of photoaging without risk of major side effects or significant postoperative recovery.     

Gingival melanin depigmentation by Er:YAG laser: A literature review

Laser ablation is recently suggested as a most effective and reliable technique for depigmentation of melanin hyperpigmented gingiva. To date, different lasers have been used for gingival depigmentation (CO₂, diode, Nd:YAG, Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers). The use of Er:YAG laser for depigmentation of melanin hyperpigmented gingiva has gained increasing importance in recent years. The purpose of this study was to report removal of gingival melanin pigmentation using an Er:YAG laser in a literature review. The main outcomes, such as improvement of signs (clinical parameters of bleeding, erythema, swelling and wound healing), symptoms (pain) and melanin recurrence/repigmentation were measured. The literature demonstrated that depigmentation of gingival melanin pigmentation can be performed safely and effectively by Er:YAG laser resulting in healing and an esthetically significant improvement of gingival discoloration. Thus, Er:YAG laser seems to be safe and useful in melanin depigmentation procedure. However, the main issue in giving the final conclusion of the optimal Er:YAG laser use in melanin depigmentation is that, to date, studies are offering completely discrepant Er:YAG laser procedure protocols (complex settings of laser parameters), and different criteria for the assessment of depigmentation and repigmentation (recurrence), thus hampering the comparison of the results. Therefore, further studies are necessary to give an optimal recommendation on the use of Er:YAG laser in gingival melanin hyperpigmentation.     

Lasers for facial rejuvenation

Laser and laser-like assisted facial rejuvenation has become very popular during the last decade. Although a myriad of techniques are available, such approaches can be divided into four basic approaches. There are those that (i) ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and provide a significant thermal effect (CO(2) lasers); (ii) ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and minimal thermal effects (short pulsed Erbium:Ytrrium-Aluminum-Garnet [Er:YAG] lasers); (iii) ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and provide variable thermal effects (combined CO(2)/Er:YAG lasers, variable pulsed Er:YAG lasers, and ablative radiofrequency devices); and (iv) do not ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and provide minimal thermal effects (non-ablative lasers and light sources). Each of the four modalities has now been shown to be effective in promoting facial rejuvenation. As would be expected, each has some advantages and disadvantages.CO(2) lasers, because they ablate the epidermis, cause a dermal wound, and provide a significant thermal effect, appear to be most useful for those individuals with advanced photoaged skin. Such lasers provide the greatest degree of skin tightening for these individuals. However, it is that very same thermal effect that leads to the possibility of delays in healing sometimes noted with these systems. Short pulsed Er:YAG lasers, because they promote so little thermal damage, when used in a superficial manner, lead to the possibility of quicker healing than is seen with CO(2) lasers. However, less clinical improvement and more bleeding may be noted. Combined CO(2)/Er:YAG lasers, variable pulsed Er:YAG lasers, and ablative radiofrequency devices lead to an effect somewhere in between that of pulsed CO(2) lasers and short pulsed Er:YAG lasers. The newest group of systems includes the non-ablative devices that do not ablate the epidermis, cause dermal wounding, and provide for a minimal thermal effect. This area of technology is still evolving. Although such techniques, because they do not ablate the epidermis, are cosmetically elegant, the clinical results are usually not quite as good as the more aggressive ablative techniques.     

CO(2) and Er:YAG lasers in dermatology and aesthetic surgery

In the past few years, the spectrum of indications for ablative lasers in dermatology and aesthetic medicine has been expanded due to technological innovations. In the following, technical basics, laser-tissue interactions, indications for the CO(2) and Er:YAG laser and laser treatment management are described. In addition, side effects and reactions associated with the use of these laser systems are listed and compared.     

Laser ablative resurfacing for photorejuvenation based on more than a decade's experience and 1200 patients: personal observations

Background Before lasers, the rejuvenation of photoaged skin, presented clinicians with many problems. Conventional methods, such as dermabrasion and various peels, gave inconsistent results with the potential for adverse side‐effects. Lasers have dramatically changed resurfacing procedures and results, although the potential for severe side‐effects still exists. Patients and methods The author's experience of over a decade in the use of the pulsed and continuous wave CO₂, Er:YAG, and combined CO₂ and Er:YAG lasers in ablative resurfacing in more than 1200 patients is summarized. Parameters are discussed, and laser/tissue interactions are investigated. Results Among the CO₂ lasers used, the C/W system proved more effective in the long term than the pulsed system. For the Er:YAG laser, a novel dual‐mode approach was developed which was seen to give better results than the usual ablative Er:YAG settings. The combined Er:YAG/CO₂ system proved, in the author's hands at least, to be an ideal laser ablative resurfacing system when used with the collimated hand‐piece and a 50% overlap, which achieves a two‐pass equivalence in a single pass. Representative case reports are presented. Conclusions Laser ablative resurfacing with the CO₂ or Er:YAG dual‐mode lasers has the potential to produce excellent and long‐lasting results, but at the cost of patient downtime and unpleasant side‐effects. The combined Er: YAG/CO₂ system, in combination with good wound management techniques has helped reduce downtime and adverse effects.     

Maximizing benefits and minimizing risk with CO2 laser resurfacing

Laser resurfacing using the high-energy, pulsed and scanned CO2 laser produces the most dramatic improvement in severe photo-induced facial rhytides and deeply atrophic scars. More recently, the use of short- and long-pulsed erbium lasers in conjunction with CO2 laser resurfacing has been shown to speed healing by removing the upper layer of thermally induced necrotic tissue. The Er:YAG lasers are more superficial ablative tools that inflict less residual thermal damage on the tissue, thus allowing healing to occur without the requisite internal clearance of excessive debris. With continued research and advances in laser surgery, cutaneous resurfacing will be further enhanced with improved outcomes and lessened morbidity.     

A rapid tattoo removal technique using a combination of pulsed Er:YAG and Q-Switched Nd:YAG in a split lesion protocol

Background: Tattoo removal has evolved over the years and though Q-switched laser is the ‘workhorse’ laser, it invariably requires multiple sittings, which are dependent on numerous factors, including the skin colour, location of the tattoo, age of the tattoo, colour of pigment used, associated fibrosis and the kind of tattoo treated. Though ablative lasers, both pulsed CO2 and Er:YAG, have been used for recalcitrant tattoos, very few studies have been done comparing them with pigment-specific lasers. Our study was based on the premise that ablating the epidermis overlying the tattoo pigment with Er:YAG could help in gaining better access to the pigment which would enable the Q-switched laser to work effectively with less beam scattering. Objective: A study of rapid tattoo removal (RTR) technique using a combination of pulsed Er:YAG and Q-Switched Nd:YAG in a split lesion protocol. Materials and methods: This prospective study was undertaken during 2010–13 at a laser Clinic in the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. A total of 10 patients were recruited, 5 of amateur tattoo and 5 of professional tattoo. After informed consent each tattoo was arbitrarily ‘split’ into two parts. One part was treated with QS Nd:YAG laser(1064 nm) and the other part with Er:YAG laser immediately followed by the QS Nd:YAG. The laser treatments were repeated at 6-week intervals until the tattoo pigment had cleared. On the combination side in subsequent sittings only the QS Nd:YAG was used, to minimize repetitive ablation. To ensure consistency in the intervention methods a trained dermatologist who was independent of the treatment delivery randomly rated 10% of the procedures. Results: The mean improvement achieved by the Q-switched laser (2.93) was less than the combination laser (3.85) side (p = 0.001) and needed more sessions (3.8 vs. 1.6; p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the improvement on the combination side till the second session. On the combination side patients required a maximum of 2 sessions, while the Q-switched laser required 3–5 sessions for appreciable lightening. Conclusion: From our study it was concluded that use of a pulsed ablative laser may help in rapid removal of tattoos in conjunction with QS lasers with minimal side effects and can be used as a RTR.     

Lasers for facial rejuvenation: a review

BACKGROUND: Different types of laser are used for resurfacing and collagen remodeling in cutaneous laser surgery. METHODS: A systematic review was performed of the different types of laser currently employed for skin rejuvenation. These systems are either ablative [high-energy pulsed or scanned carbon dioxide (CO2) laser emitting at a wavelength of 10,600 nm, single- or variable-pulse or dual ablative/coagulative mode erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser emitting at a wavelength of 2940 nm, or systems combining both 10,600 nm and 2940 nm wavelengths] or nonablative [Q-switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser emitting at a wavelength of 1064 nm, Nd:YAG laser emitting at a wavelength of 1320 nm, or diode laser emitting at a wavelength of 1450 nm]. Different protocols, patient selection, treatment techniques, and complications are discussed for each system. RESULTS: New-generation CO2 resurfacing lasers have been successful in the treatment of photodamaged skin and scarring, with a postoperative morbidity dependent on the depth of thermal damage. Because of its minimal penetration, the pulsed Er:YAG laser, usually used in the treatment of more superficial rhytides, produces less postoperative morbidity. Novel ablative systems have been developed and a further understanding of laser-tissue interaction has led to the design of nonablative systems for the treatment of rhytides, scarring, and photodamaged skin, the efficacy and profile of which remain to be evaluated in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: There are several effective techniques for scar revision and the treatment of aged skin, but all have their drawbacks due to a lack of precise depth control and unwanted damage to the lower layers of the dermis. The Er:YAG laser is the treatment of choice for fine lines and superficial scars, whereas the CO2 laser is better for deeper rhytides and scars. In the future, a combination of lasers may be used for facial rejuvenation.     

黄褐斑的治疗进展

黄褐斑是一种获得性色素增加性皮肤病，病因复杂，治疗困难。外用药是黄褐斑治疗的首选，单用4%氢醌乳膏和三联疗法（4%氢醌乳膏+0.01%氟轻松+0.05%维A酸乳膏）为一线治疗方案，目前外用氨甲环酸治疗黄褐斑被证实安全有效，苯丙氨酸、丁雷锁辛也有一定疗效。外用木质素过氧化物酶、锌、西酸模精华、二乙酰伯尔定碱及转化生长因子β1仿生寡肽68、氟他胺等是近年的新方法。联合口服氨甲环酸能增加疗效。Q开关激光治疗黄褐斑疗效明显，但易复发和色素沉着。强脉冲光、点阵激光尚缺乏大样本研究，CO2激光和铒激光疗效显著，但极易造成亚洲患者的炎症后色素沉着，故不适于亚洲人群。顽固性黄褐斑患者可考虑化学或物理剥脱治疗，皮肤磨削术使97%患者的黄褐斑获得了永久性清除。     

“Skin rejuvenation” durch nichtablative Laser- und Lichtsysteme Literaturrecherche und Übersicht

Currently, ablative laser therapy (with CO2/Er:YAG lasers) and deep chemical peeling are effective and promising methods of skin rejuvenation. The induction of collagen synthesis was observed after peelings with trichloroacetic acid or phenol as well as after treatments with the CO2 laser. In past years, the undesirable side effects and risks of these methods have led to intensified research in the fields of non-ablative facial rejuvenation and subsurfacing by means of ablative laser systems and intense pulsed light systems. The objective is to achieve selective, heat-induced denaturalisation of dermal collagen that leads to subsequent reactive synthesis but does not damage the epidermis. Recently, the results of numerous clinical and histological studies have indicated that these new technologies are successful. After critical review and assessment of current literature, we can say that in terms of their efficacy, non-ablative methods are not a comparable alternative to ablative skin resurfacing.     

Treatment of Dowling-Degos disease with fractional Er:YAG laser

Abstract

Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare, benign, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by reticulated pigmentation on flexural areas. Recently, a report of successful Er:YAG ablative laser treatment without any adverse effects was issued.

A 49-year-old Korean woman presented with numerous small, hyperpigmented macules in a reticular pattern on her face, axillae, and inguinal folds of several years duration. Histologic examination revealed acanthosis with thin elongated rete ridges, basal branching, and widening. She was diagnosed as having DDD and was treated successfully without any adverse effects using a fractional 2,940-nm Er:YAG ablative laser (LOTUSII, Laseroptek, Sungnam, Korea).

Er:YAG ablative laser treatment could be an effective treatment modality for DDD, but in Asians, who have darker skins than Caucasians, or in patients with skin lesions on the face, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation could be problematic after treatment. Fractional Er:YAG ablative laser treatment should be viewed as an alternative therapeutic option for DDD.     

激光和强脉冲光治疗酒渣鼻的治疗进展

酒渣鼻是常见皮肤病,其临床特点包括皮肤潮红、持久性红斑、丘疹脓疱和毛细血管扩张.激光是治疗酒渣鼻毛细血管扩张和鼻赘期的理想选择,最常用的激光包括脉冲染料激光(波长585/595 nm)、长脉宽Nd:YAG激光(波长1064 nm)、CO2激光、铒激光和点阵激光等.强脉冲光、脉冲染料激光用于改善酒渣鼻红斑和毛细血管扩张,安全性高,停工期短.长脉宽Nd:YAG激光仅用于治疗较粗血管和难治性毛细血管扩张.CO2激光、铒激光和点阵激光用于改善酒渣鼻鼻赘.临床上多种激光联合治疗效果更佳.     

Becker's naevus: a comparative study between erbium: YAG and Q-switched neodymium:YAG; clinical and histopathological findings

BACKGROUND: Becker's naevus (BN) may represent a distressing cosmetic handicap and a challenging issue regarding treatment. OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical and histopathological findings of patients with BN treated with two different lasers: an erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) system vs. a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective and comparative study we present the clinical and histopathological evolution during a 2-year follow-up of 22 patients with BN treated with only one pass of the Er:YAG laser (n = 11) or three treatment sessions with the Q-switched Nd:YAG system (n = 11). RESULTS: Clinical evaluation 2 years after treatment with the Er:YAG laser showed complete clearance (100%) in 54% of the patients (n = 6) and clearance of > 50% in 100% of the subjects. In relation to Nd:YAG laser treatments our results echo those of other authors. Numerous sessions are necessary to get an acceptable clinical clearance rate. Only one patient showed marked clearance (51-99%) after three treatment sessions. Moderate (26-50%) and mild (1-25%) clearance was observed in 45.5% (n = 5) and 27.3% (n = 3) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Both Er:YAG and Nd:YAG are safe tools to treat BN. However, in terms of pigment removal, one pass with Er:YAG is a superior technique to three treatment sessions with the Nd:YAG.     

Efficacy and safety of laser-related therapy for melasma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

Melasma is a prevalent, persistent hyperpigmentation disorder that negatively affects the psychological health of patients. However, the treatment outcome remains unsatisfactory due to the complexity of pathogenesis, recurrence characteristics, and relatively high morbidity.

Objectives

To compare the performance of laser-related therapies in improving the melasma area severity index (MASI) score of melasma and the occurrence of adverse effects by network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods

From the inception to November 2022, eligible randomized controlled trials were identified. Two investigators independently searched relevant studies from PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database.

Results

A total of 39 clinical studies with 1394 participants were eligible for enrollment. For efficacy, the NMA demonstrated that Q-switched Nd: YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM) was superior to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSND) [MD = −4.21 (−6.80, −1.63)], Er: YAG laser + topical medications (ERYL+TM) [MD = -3.52 (−6.84, −0.19)], and picosecond laser + topical medications (PICO+TM) [MD = −4.80 (−9.33, −0.27)]. The microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM) was superior to picosecond laser (PICO) [MD = −5.26 (−10.44, −0.08)] and topical medications (TM) [MD = −5.22 (−9.20, −1.23)]. The top five of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve value (SUCRA) are Q-switched Nd:YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM 85.9%), oral tranexamic acid (oTA 80.1%), microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM 79.7%), Q-switched Nd:YAG laser + intense pulse light (QSND+IPL 78.9%), and fractional carbon dioxide laser + topical medications (FCDL+TM 70.5%).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the Qs-Nd:YAG laser with topical medications is the first choice for treating melasma according to the SUCRA value. Among the three treatment modalities, namely MN + TM, PICO, and TM, our recommendation favors MN+TM as the superior choice for enhancing the curative efficacy in melasma. However, the actual clinical choice should also take into account the adverse effects, the skin type of the patient, the duration of the disease, and other relevant factors.     

New insight in the treatment of refractory melasma: Laser Q‐switched Nd: YAG non‐ablative fractionated followed by intense pulsed light

The purpose of our study was to verify the results of the association of Q‐switched Nd: YAG non‐ablative fractionated with intense pulsed light, in order to treat patients with refractory melasma. The combination of these two devices seems to be the best treatment to combat hyperpigmentation produced by melasma, with low occurrence of side effects, which may be justified by the selective photothermolysis at subcellular level.     

Ablative laser resurfacing: high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide and erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet

The development of the short-pulsed high-energy carbon dioxide laser in the mid 1990's led to the emergence of laser skin resurfacing. Used in the continuous mode, the CO(2) laser can cut and coagulate simultaneously. Used in the pulsed mode, the CO(2) laser is a powerful tool for epidermal ablation in many different contexts both therapeutic and cosmetic. Both the CO(2) and Erbium YAG lasers emit light in the infrared spectrum. Energy is preferentially absorbed by intracellular water creating rapid heating and vaporization of tissue. Because of the wavelength of the Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) more closely approximates the absorption peak of water (3000 nm) the target chromophore than the CO(2) laser (10,600 nm) nearly all of the energy is absorbed in the epidermis and papillary dermis yielding superficial ablation and less underlying thermal damage. The advantages, disadvantages, and applications of each type of laser resurfacing will be discussed. Despite proven efficacy, the public acceptance of laser resurfacing has declined with the emergence of new laser systems that cause dermal remodeling without ablating the overlying epidermis dramatically reducing recovery time. In the absence of blinded comparison studies, it remains unclear whether the clinical results of the newer 'nonablative' laser systems compare with their ablative predecessors.     

A systematic review of comparative studies of CO2 and erbium:YAG lasers in resurfacing facial rhytides (wrinkles)

Background: Laser resurfacing is used to minimize wrinkles, solar scars and sequelae of acne. Objective: Purpose of the systematic review was to compare resurfacing outcomes of CO₂ laser and erbium: yttrium aluminium garnet (erb:YAG) laser therapies. Materials and methods: Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases were searched until 9 April 2015 using the following terms: laser, carbon dioxide/CO₂, facial wrinkles, rhytides and erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet/erbium:YAG/Er:YAG. Two-armed controlled split faced studies that compared CO₂ laser and erbium:YAG laser in patients with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles or rhytides were included. Results: The pooled data in this study and findings of other studies support the greater efficacy with the CO₂ laser in improving facial wrinkles, but the erb:YAG laser was associated with a better complication profile compared with the CO₂ laser. Except one case of hypopigmentation, other complications (i.e., erythema, hyperpigmentation and crusting) and their rates were reported by studies examining both lasers. Conclusion: In general, the CO₂ laser appeared to be more efficacious then the erb:YAG laser in treating facial wrinkles. Both lasers treatments were well tolerated.     

A split-face,evaluator-blind randomized study on the early effects of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser versus Er:YAG micropeel in light solar lentigines in Asians

Abstract

Background: Asians are prone to develop epidermal pigmentary lesions as a result of photoaging. Solar lentigines, especially those which are light in color, show somewhat limited response to pigment lasers and intense pulsed light sources. Objectives: We sought to compare the early effects as well as side effects of Q-switched Nd:YAG and Er:YAG micropeel in treating light solar lentigines in Asians. Patient and methods: This was a split-face, evaluator-blind, randomized controlled study. A single session of treatment was performed on Asian patients with light facial lentigines. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was allocated to one half of the face, and Er:YAG micropeel to the other half. The response to therapy was evaluated by two independent dermatologists with standardized photographs taken 2 weeks and 1 month after the laser treatment. Patients’ satisfaction and preference in treatment were also assessed. Results: Fifteen patients completed the study and were analyzed. A reduction in pigment was observed with both lasers during the study period. The degree of pigment reduction in the Q-switched Nd:YAG treated side of the face was significantly higher than that of the Er:YAG micropeel treated side at 2-week follow-up (p < 0.001). The degree of pigment reduction between the Q-switched Nd:YAG-treated side and the Er:YAG micropeel-treated side was similar at 1-month follow-up (p = 0.110). Conclusion: While there is no perfect therapy for light solar lentigines, a single session of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and Er:YAG micropeel was shown to reduce pigmentation. The immediate effects (2-week follow-up) were better with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser but there was no great difference between the two laser types at 1-month follow-up due to the greater degree of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following Q-switched Nd:YAG. Both laser types could be applied either singly in turns, or in combination for maximal efficacy in future.