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Lasers in Pigmentary Skin Disorders

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Pigmentary Skin Disorders

Part of the book series: Updates in Clinical Dermatology ((UCD))

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Abstract

Laser therapy can treat disorders of both hyper- and hypopigmentation, including vitiligo, lentigines, and melasma. When choosing the appropriate laser for treatment, wavelength, spot size, pulse duration, and fluence must be carefully considered. We will discuss several different lasers: the xenon chloride excimer laser (EL), the fractional carbon dioxide laser (FCO2), the quality-switched ruby laser (QSRL), the Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL), and the Q-switched neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (QS Nd:YAG). Additionally, we will review and summarize the results of combination trials involving laser therapy for pigmentary disorders. While nevi of Ota and lentigines respond well to laser therapy, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma are often resistant to therapy, and combination regimens with topical therapies may be the most effective. The utilization of lasers in medicine and dermatology will continue to evolve with improvements in laser technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Melissa A. Levoska, Tasneem F. Mohammad & Iltefat H. Hamzavi

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    Prasad Kumarasinghe

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Levoska, M.A., Mohammad, T.F., Hamzavi, I.H. (2018). Lasers in Pigmentary Skin Disorders. In: Kumarasinghe, P. (eds) Pigmentary Skin Disorders. Updates in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70419-7_15

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