ArticleEuropean journal of medical research2013
Treatment of melasma in Caucasian patients using a novel 694-nm Q-switched ruby fractional laser.
Article in European journal of medical research, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 25 citations in OpenAlex.
- A pilot randomized split-face trial comparing fractional Q-Switched ruby laser and 1064-nm Q-Switched nd: YAG laser in Chinese women with melasma running titile: fQSRL vs. QSNY in melasma.Lasers in medical science · 2025Trial
- Efficacy and safety of fractional Q-switched 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the treatment of melasma in Chinese patients.Lasers in medical science · 2016Trial
- Efficacy of 694-nm fractional Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) combined with sonophoresis on levorotatory vitamin C for treatment of melasma in Chinese patients.Lasers in medical science · 2016Trial
- Subtype-Specific Response to Fractional-Mode Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Melasma: A Prospective Single-Blind Clinical Study Using Clinical and Noninvasive Imaging Assessments.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- The Emerging Role of Visible Light in Melanocyte Biology and Skin Pigmentary Disorders: Friend or Foe?Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Review
- Q-Switched Laser Combined with Intense Pulsed Laser in the Treatment of Melasma Based on Reflection Confocal Microscope.Computational and mathematical methods in medicine · 2022Article
- Updates in the understanding and treatments of skin & hair disorders in women of color.International journal of women's dermatology · 2017Review
- Updates in the understanding and treatments of skin & hair disorders in women of color.International journal of women's dermatology · 2015Review
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMelasma is a common hypermelanosis of the face. The use of a classical Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) to treat melasma is discussed controversially and is associated with frequent adverse effects, such as hyper- or hypopigmentation. Recently a fractional-mode (FRx) QSRL was developed to minimize the adverse effects of classical QSRL. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel FRx-QSRL in the treatment of melasma in Caucasian patients.
methodsWe performed a retrospective study of 25 Caucasian melasma patients (Fitzpatrick skin types I to III). Patients received one to three FRx-QSRL treatments (Tattoostar FRx, Asclepion Laser Technologies, Jena, Germany) at pulse energies of 4 to 8 J/cm2. Three blinded investigators independently evaluated the melasma area and severity index (MASI) score before treatment and at the four- to six-week follow-ups. At additional three-month follow-ups, patients evaluated subjective improvement, pain and over-all satisfaction with the treatment according to a numeric analogue score (NAS). Side effects were documented.
resultsAt four to six weeks post laser treatment for a mean of 1.4 sessions, we observed a significant (P=0.0001) reduction of the MASI score from 6.54 to 1.98 (72.3%). Patients rated the pain of the intervention at a mean 2.46 points (0=no pain; 10=maximum pain), the improvement at a mean 5.55 points (0=no improvement; 10=maximum improvement) and the overall satisfaction at a mean 4.66 points (0=not satisfied; 10=maximum satisfaction). After three months, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and/or recurring melasma were observed in 7 (28%) and 11 (44%) patients, respectively.
conclusionThe 694-nm FRx-QSRL is a safe and effective option for treating melasma in Caucasian patients. Over periods of >3 months, PIH and/or recurring melasma may develop at significant rates and may reduce patient satisfaction. Multiple treatment sessions with lower pulse energies and/or a post-interventional therapy with hypopigmenting ointments and UV protection may help to minimize these complications.
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