ArticleAnnals of dermatology2019
A Face-Split Study to Evaluate the Effects of Microneedle Radiofrequency with Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Melasma.
Article in Annals of dermatology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
20 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 39 citations in OpenAlex.
- The Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Melasma Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Pooled it
- The Low-Fluence Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Melasma: A Systematic Review.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2022Pooled it
- Photobiomodulation therapy for enhanced wound and Scar healing: visual and statistical evaluation.Lasers in medical science · 2025Trial
- Low-Shrinkage 3D-Printed Polymeric Microneedle Arrays with Electroless Silver Coating for Enhanced Thermal and Mechanical Performance in Dermatological Applications.Materials (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Retrospective Analysis of the Therapeutic Outcomes of Microneedle Radiofrequency on Melasma by Optical Coherence Tomography: A Observational Pilot Study.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Efficacy and Safety of Laser-Based Therapies for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Cureus · 2026Review
- A Retrospective Analysis of Radiofrequency Microneedling for Melasma Management in the Japanese Population.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- The Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Microneedling for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2026Review
- Clinical Effects and Safety of Radiofrequency Microneedling for the Management of Melasma: A Retrospective Study.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2026Article
- Advances in 3D Printed Microneedles as a Prototype for Skin Targeted Therapeutics in Personalized Dermal Pharmaceuticals.AAPS PharmSciTech · 2025Review
- Pathogenesis of Melasma Explained.International journal of dermatology · 2025Review
- Review of Applications of Microneedling in Melasma.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Review
- Non-Insulated Microneedle Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Hydroquinone-Induced Exogenous Ochronosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2025Article
- Update on Melasma Treatments.Annals of dermatology · 2024Review
- Update on Melasma-Part II: Treatment.Dermatology and therapy · 2022Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Using Noninsulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Alone Versus in Combination with Polynucleotides for the Treatment of Melasma: A Pilot Study.Dermatology and therapy · 2022Article
- Can a radiofrequency device reduce the pore size?Lasers in medical science · 2022Article
- A Successful Esthetic Approach of Gingival Depigmentation Using Microneedling Technique and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).Case reports in dentistry · 2022Article
- A Clinical and Biochemical Evaluation of a Temperature-Controlled Continuous Non-Invasive Radiofrequency Device for the Treatment of Melasma.Annals of dermatology · 2021Article
- Generation of Q-switched Pulses in Thulium-doped and Thulium/Holmium-co-doped Fiber Lasers using MAX phase (TiScientific reports · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLaser toning using a low-fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is one of the most frequently used treatment modalities for melasma. However, this therapy is time consuming because it requires a lot of treatment sessions. Recently, it has been reported that transdermal radiofrequency (RF) is effective for the treatment of melasma.
objectiveTo determine whether microneedle RF conduction could be an adjunct therapy for melasma, we have studied the effect of simultaneous treatments with laser toning and RF for melasma.
methodsFifteen patients with melasma underwent five sessions of laser toning and microneedle RF on the right side of the face, and only laser toning on the left side. Responses to treatments were evaluated using the Mexameter® (Courage Khazaka, Germany) score, the pigmentation and severity index (PSI) score, and the patient's overall assessment. Additionally, an electron microscopic study of a skin biopsy was performed.
resultsBoth laser toning and combination therapy showed significant decreases in the Mexameter® and PSI score after five treatment sessions. Combination therapy showed a more significant improvement of melasma than laser toning. No remarkable side effects were reported. Electron microscopic analysis showed a greater number of vacuolar changes and increased loosening of melanocytes and adjacent epidermal cells after combination therapy.
conclusionThe combination treatment of laser toning and microneedle RF therapy showed a better therapeutic effect for melasma than laser toning alone. Therefore, the microneedle RF technique could be a new and safe adjunct therapy for the treatment of melasma.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.