Comparison between the use of intense pulsed light and Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser for the treatment of axillary hyperpigmentation.

Abstract

Axillary hyperpigmentation (AH) is a condition in which axillary skin is darker than the adjacent areas. To date, there is no standard treatment for AH. The Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet 1064-nm(QS) laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) are two effective modalities for the treatment of pigmentary disorders; however, the efficacy and safety levels of both treatments for AH have not yet been compared in a controlled study. To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of the QS laser and IPL in the treatment of AH. A randomized, split-side study was conducted on 22 subjects; all subjects received a total of five split-side treatments every 2weeks. The efficacy was determined using the melanin index (MI), color chart level using the Pantone SkinTone™ Guide, improvement grading scale (IGS), and patient satisfaction scores at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The results showed that there was no significant difference in MI, color chart level, IGS, and patient satisfaction scores between the two treatments. Both treatments significantly improved AH after three sessions. However, the pain score was lower for IPL treatment. The adverse effects were transient and were found after IPL treatment in one participant (4.45%) who developed hyperpigmentation and another participant (4.45%) who developed erythema. Intense pulsed light therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of AH, with no significant difference in the outcome compared with QS laser treatment.