Beneficial Effect of Low Fluence 1,064 nm Q-Switched Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser in the Treatment of Senile Lentigo

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Low fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched (QS) NeodymiumYttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (NdYAG) laser treatment, also known as laser toning, is widely used for pigmentary disorders. There has been no reliable evaluation of the effect of low fluence 1,064 nm QS NdYAG laser for senile lentigo. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the beneficial effect of low fluence 1,064 nm QS NdYAG laser in the treatment of senile lentigo on the face. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients treated only with repetitive low fluence 1,064 nm QS NdYAG laser. Among them, 12 patients with multiple senile lentigines before treatment were included. All side effects were recorded to assess the safety of the modality. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.1±7.8 years old and male-to-female ratio was 111. Mean treatment fluence was 1.62±0.16 J/cm² and mean total treatment session was 8.8±2.6. Mean interval period between each session was 28.0±11.4 days and mean treatment session to reach marked and near total improvement was 8.7±2.8. At the final visit, seven of 12 (58.3%) patients reached marked and near total improvement, and three of 12 (25.0%) reached moderate improvement. No side effects occurred. CONCLUSION: Repetitive low fluence 1,064 nm QS NdYAG laser treatment may be an effective and safe optional modality for senile lentigo.