Comparative study of dual-pulsed 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and single-pulsed 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser by using zebrafish model and prospective split-face analysis of facial melasma

Background: Recently dual-pulsed low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG (QSNY) laser has been developed for reducing complication during melasma treatment. Objective: Comparison of the efficacy and safety between dual-pulsed mode and single-pulsed mode for the treatment of melasma. Materials and methods: In preclinical study, adult zebrafish were irradiated with dual-pulsed and single-pulsed mode. Changes of melanophore and cell death were assessed. In split-face clinical study, dual-pulsed and single-pulsed mode were irradiated on the left and right side of the face, respectively. L* value, clinical digital photos, modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores, and side effects were measured. Results: As compared to single-pulsed mode and dual-pulsed mode with longer intervals, zebrafish melanophore was cleared quickly at dual-pulsed mode with 80-μsec interval and 0.3 J/cm² fluence. Dual-pulsed mode showed the least regeneration of melanophore at 4 weeks after irradiation and no cell death was observed with 80-μsec interval. Both pulse modes improved melasma significantly but modified MASI score and L* value were not significantly different between each other. Lesser pain and shorter duration of post-laser erythema were observed with dual-pulsed mode. Conclusion: Dual-pulsed mode was as effective as single-pulsed mode for the treatment of melasma and revealed less side effects.     

Histological classification of melasma with reflectance confocal microscopy: a pilot study in Chinese patients

Objective: To investigate the histological classification of melasma with reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in vivo. Methods: Two hundred and ten cases with facial melasma lesions were enrolled. After informed consent, the target melasma lesion of 10 patients were imaged with RCM and then biopsied as well. Under the RCM scanning, the distribution of the melanin determined the histological types, and then, the results of RCM images were compared with those of the histopathology. The other 200 cases were tested only with RCM. Results: For the 10 cases imaged and biopsied, compared with that of the perilesional normal skin, the amount of melanin was significantly increased in the epidermis in all lesions under RCM, while three cases also found melanin in the dermis. Thus, seven of the10 patients were categorized as the epidermal type while the other three as mixed ones, and the results were well correlated with those of the histopathology. Of the other 200 patients, 143 cases 71.5%) were categorized as the epidermal type while the other 57 (28.5%) cases as mixed ones. Limitations: If more melasma cases are biopsied, the data will be more convincing. Conclusion: RCM in vivo analysis shows complete coherence with histopathology results, which could be an alternative for the classification of melasma, and based on the results of RCM imaging, melasma is classified into two major types: the epidermal type and mixed type.     

Q-开关Nd∶YAG激光联合强脉冲光治疗黄褐斑疗效分析

目的:探讨和评价Q-开关Nd:YAG激光联合强脉冲光(IPL)治疗黄褐斑的疗效和安全性。方法:将患者随机分为三组:Q-开关激光与强脉冲光联合治疗组:40例,先用Q-开关Nd:YAG激光治疗3次,再用强脉冲光治疗3次,间隔时间2个月;Q-开关激光治疗组:32例,采用Q-开关Nd:YAG(1064nm)激光治疗3次,间隔时间2个月;对照组:14例,采用中药祛斑面膜治疗,每周1次,连续4周1个疗程,总共完成6个疗程。所有患者治疗后防晒。结果:Q-开关激光与强脉冲光联合治疗组:治愈9例(22.50%),显效18例(45.0%),总有效率为67.50%;Q-开关激光治疗组:治愈4例(12.50%),显效13例(40.62%),总有效率为53.12%;对照组:治愈0例,显效2例(14.29%),总有效率为14.29%;Q-开关激光组与联合治疗组都取得了显著的疗效。联合治疗组色素沉着2例(5.0%),无增生性瘢痕;激光治疗组色素沉着3例(9.38%);对照组皮肤过敏1例(7.14%)。结论:Q-开关Nd:YAG激光联合强脉冲光(IPL)治疗黄褐斑安全、有效、副作用少,值得推广使用。     

美白祛斑凝乳的研制及临床观察

目的:研制具有美白祛斑功能的新型制剂并进行临床观察研究。方法:改进凝胶制备工艺并加入药物功能性添加剂而制得凝乳;凝乳治疗黄褐斑30例并以氢醌霜为对照,比较性状和功能。结果:凝乳制剂保留了凝胶的优点并有美白祛斑功效,治疗黄褐斑外用一月后总有效率100%,显效率70%(21/30)。与对照组比较都有提高(P<0.05)。结论:美白祛斑凝乳是具有明显治疗护肤功能的新型外用制剂。     

Development and validation of a health-related quality of life instrument for women with melasma

BACKGROUND: Melasma can have significant emotional and psychological effects on those affected with the condition. In the past, the impact of melasma on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been assessed using general measures of skin disease that equally weigh both the physical and psychosocial distress arising from the presence of a dermatological condition. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to develop and validate a disease-specific HRQoL instrument to identify the areas of the patient's life most impaired by melasma as well as the effects of the condition on their level of functioning in correlation with disease severity: the Melasma Quality of Life scale (MELASQOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A random sample of 102 women identified by an investigator as having melasma were evaluated by the investigator using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). The patients were then anonymously surveyed with the SKINDEX-16, the Fear of Negative Evaluation scale, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a skin discoloration evaluation questionnaire, and a measure of perceived life quality difference without melasma. The 10-item MELASQOL scale was devised from the comprehensive HRQoL assessment battery. RESULTS: The psychometric properties of the MELASQOL were comparable with the properties of the DLQI and the SKINDEX-16. The MELASQOL scores were highly correlated with the other HRQoL measures. The discriminatory ability of the MELASQOL is superior to the SKINDEX-16 and the DLQI for melasma. The three life domains most adversely affected by melasma (social life, recreation/leisure and emotional well-being) were highlighted by this instrument. These were the same three areas of life that patients believed would improve the most if they no longer were affected by the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The MELASQOL can be used to evaluate objectively the effect of melasma on a patient's HRQoL. The high correlation with the DLQI, the SKINDEX-16 and the skin discoloration questionnaire suggests that the new scale is a valid instrument, which can be used to monitor the level of impairment individuals suffer due to their melasma. The MELASQOL scores can help guide treatment methods as well as track the improvement of patients' HRQoL.