Effect of low-level laser therapy on wound healing after depigmentation procedure: A clinical study.

Abstract

Aim:The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing after depigmentation procedure.Materials and Methods:In this study, 12 patients with bilateral melanin hyperpigmentation were treated with surgical stripping using a blade. After completion of the surgical process and bleeding stasis, any of the symmetrical surgical sites was randomly assigned for LLLT (test site) using a defocused diode laser at 1 mm distance for 5 min. After every laser exposure, the surgical site was coated with plaque disclosing solution (erythrosine) on the 3rd, 7th, and 15th day. A photograph of the surgical site was taken using a Digital SLR Camera, which was placed at 30 cm distance at 55 mm zoom, 1/100 shutter speed, f 14 aperture size, and ISO 4000 with a ring flash. The area of the stained parts of the photographs was evaluated using image analysis software.Results:At day 3, test site showed 1.26 ± 0.23 mm2 and control site showed 1.45 ± 0.21 mm2 stain uptake by the tissue which was statistically significant. At day 7 and day 15, the test sites exhibited 1.24 ± 0.30 mm2 and 1.12 ± 0.25 mm2 stain uptake, whereas the control site showed 1.37 ± 25 mm2 and 1.29 ± 0.28 mm2 staining, respectively, which were not statistically significant.Conclusion:Within the limitations of this study, the findings revealed that LLLT promotes wound healing after depigmentation procedure until the 3rd day. On the 7th and 15th day, the difference in healing was not statistically significant.