Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Picosecond Alexandrite Laser with a Diffractive Lens Array for Treatment of Melasma in Asian Patients by VISIA Imaging System

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of picosecond (ps) 755-nm alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array (DLA) generating laser-induced optical breakdown, which may be beneficial for melasma treatment. Background: Melasma is notorious for difficult to treat with any modality setting. Recently, picosecond alexandrite laser with DLA seems promising for dealing with it without intolerable complications. Methods: Twenty (N = 20) Asian female melasma patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV were recruited for 3 treatment sessions of picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser with DLA at a 4- to 6-week interval. The pulse duration was 750 ps. An 8-mm spot size and the fluence of 0.4 J/cm2 was used over the target area with 2 passes per treatment area and around 2000–2500 passes in total. The repetition rate was 10 Hz. Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score and VISIA® imaging system analysis were utilized for evaluation before treatment and 4 weeks after the completion of the third treatment session. The clinical improvement and adverse events were assessed by the physicians and patients, respectively. Results: The median age of the patients was 45 years (from 27 to 55 years). In the physicians' evaluation, 40% (n = 8) of patients showed good improvement and 40% (n = 8) of patients showed moderate improvement. The mean MASI score before and after laser therapy showed significant improvement from 9.0 ± 4.8 to 6.5 ± 3.7 (p < 0.001). VISIA analysis of the forehead presented significant improvement in spots (p = 0.007) and porphyrins (p = 0.032). Some patients experienced erythema (25%), pruritus (20%), and scaling (20%) but subsided within few days of using emollients and sunscreen. Only 5% (n = 1) of patients developed mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which also subsided in 3 weeks. Conclusions: Three sessions of picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser with a DLA were effective for melasma treatment in Asian patients with minimal side effects.