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Pulse-in-pulse mode intense pulsed light treats postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
Pulse-in-pulse mode intense pulsed light was effective and safe in treating dark-skinned patients with facial postinflammatory pigmentation, according to study results.
Researchers in Seoul, South Korea, studied 25 Korean women (mean age, 40 years) with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V and persistent facial postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Sixteen of the patients experienced PIH after laser treatment, while nine patients had facial PIH that was the result of spontaneous dermatologic conditions including dermatitis, acne and sun damage.
Researchers used a novel pulse-in-pulse mode intense pulsed light (A-TONE, AMT Engineering) with treatment parameters of 13 J/cm2, 3-milliseconds pulse duration, single pulse with 90% on-time and 10% off-time, and 560 nm to 800 nm wavelength. Four sessions were conducted at 1-week intervals and four later sessions were conducted at 2-week intervals.
There were clinical evaluations for improvements of pigmentation and adverse effects, with photographs and questionnaires used to measure treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction.
More than 25% improvement was reported in 80%, 84% and 92% of patients at weeks 5, 11 and 15, respectively, according to investigators’ photographic assessment. At the same three evaluation periods, 84%, 88% and 88% of patients, respectively, reported satisfaction with the clinical outcomes, with rating of fair to excellent.
At the final evaluation, all patients had improvement according to investigators, with 52% of patients having more than 50% improvement. All patients reported that facial PIH improved at final evaluation.
Adverse events, including hypopigmentation, blisters and scars were not reported.
“The results showed definite clinical improvement and confirmed the safety of the technique,” the researchers concluded. “Above all, no aggravation and absence of adverse effects suggest that this pulse-in-pulse mode [intense pulsed light] is a promising modality for treating various recalcitrant pigmentation disorders.” – by Bruce Thiel
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.