Background: Laser toning using a low-fluence Q-switched 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has been more commonly applied to date.
Objectives: This study therefore evaluated the efficacy and safety of picosecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser application for photoaging-associated facial pigmentation treatment in Korean subjects.
Methods: Forty-seven Korean subjects with photoagingassociated facial pigmentation underwent picosecond 1064- nm laser application. The clinical improvement of 17 patients was assessed by objective measurements such as melanin and erythema indices. Clinicians evaluated the improvement of pigmentation using the Pigmentation Area and Severity Index (PSI) and subjects reported their satisfaction level on a four-point scale.
Results: Forty-seven subjects (45 females and two males) completed this study with a 12-week follow-up period. The average decrease in PSI value at 12 weeks after treatment was 6.85±6.35 points (p < 0.001). The average decreases in the values of the erythema and melanin indices were 19.41±64.64 points (p = 0.234) and 28.88± 32.89 points (p = 0.002). An analysis of 32 subjects’ reports (68.1%) suggested good or excellent improvement. No serious adverse effects were observed during treatment or the follow-up period.
Conclusion: Picosecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser application appears to be safe and effective in improving various photoaging-associated facial pigmentation conditions in Korean skin.