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Picosecond alexandrite laser successfully treats minocycline-induced facial pigmentation

Patients with minocycline-induced cutaneous pigmentation underwent successful treatment with a picosecond alexandrite laser, according to recently published study results.

Researchers studied three patients with minocycline-induced pigmentation (MIP) in the facial area, a rare but adverse effect of long-term daily dosages exceeding 100 mg, especially in older patients. The patients received treatment with a picosecond alexandrite (755-mm) laser (PicoSure).

The first patient, a white woman, aged 60 years, had undergone daily therapy with 100 mg minocycline for 25 years to treat rosacea. She had progressively worsening asymptomatic facial pigmentation. She was treated with the picosecond laser on the left side of her face and with QS Nd:YAG laser on the right side. At 12 weeks’ follow-up, complete clearance was demonstrated on the picosecond laser-treated side of her face and partial clearing on the other side. Follow-up treatment with the picosecond laser resulted in complete clearance.

The second patient, a white man, aged 75 years, had used 100 mg minocycline daily for rosacea for 11 years. He had a history of asymptomatic facial pigmentation.

Pigmentation on the left side was treated with the picosecond laser and the right with QS Nd:YAG laser. At 8-week follow-up, partial clearance was noted on both sides of his face, with the picosecond-laser having superior clearance. After another treatment with the picosecond laser for his entire face, he experienced significant lightening at 6-month follow-up.

The third patient was a white man, aged 59 years, with pigmentation of the forehead who had been treated with minocycline for 9 years. He was treated only with the picosecond laser and displayed near complete resolution of pigmentation at 12-week follow-up.

“This proved to be well-tolerated, safe, and efficacious treatment that delivered rapid clearance of MIP,” the researchers concluded. – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.