A retrospective study of FQSRL and IPL in the treatment of Café-au-lait macule

Abstract

Background The application of fractional Q-switched ruby laser (FQSRL) or intense pulsed light (IPL) on Café-au-lait macule (CALM) is rational and the data are lacking. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of FQSRL and IPL in CALM. Methods The patients with CALM who were treated with FQSRL or IPL were retrospectively observed from April 2016 to April 2019. The laser/light treatments were conducted at an interval of 3–4 weeks. Results For FQSRL (N = 67), 88.23%, 95.46%, 100% patients achieved >50% improvement by three sessions, four sessions, and more than four sessions of treatment, respectively. A better and better efficacy was shown with the increasing number of sessions (χ 2 = 89.51, p < .01). For IPL (N = 54), 45% and 87.5% achieved >50% improvement by three sessions and more than four sessions of treatments, respectively. More than four sessions achieved better efficacy than less sessions (p < .01). Under various time-points, FQSRL presented more favorable responses than IPL (p < .05). All the adverse effects were tolerable and acceptable. Conclusions FQSRL or IPL would be an alternative and safe modality for CAML in Chinese patients.