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CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN |
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| Year : 2007 | Volume
: 52
| Issue : 3 | Page : 165 |
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| Prevention and treatment of postoperative laser hyperpigmentation |
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Mohamed L Elsaie
15 Tarablos St. Off Abbas, El Akkad St., Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
Correspondence Address:
Mohamed L Elsaie
15 Tarablos St. Off Abbas, El Akkad St., Nasr city, Cairo
Egypt
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.35357
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How to cite this article:
Elsaie ML. Prevention and treatment of postoperative laser hyperpigmentation. Indian J Dermatol 2007;52:165 |
The melanocytes of dark-skinned individuals tend to be more hyperactive to any stimulus, particularly inflammation. Therefore, the use of hypopigmenting agents both pre and postoperatively is of considerable importance. Many combinations of tretinoin, hydroquinone, topical steroid, α-hydroxy acids, kojic acid and/or azealic acid have been advocated.[1] In our practice, for the treatment of hyperpigmentation that follows the several laser procedures, we favor 0.025% tretinoin cream mixed with 4% hydroquinone to be used initially at night. To assess the degree of irritation, the patient is instructed to apply the cream to back of their ears, and if tolerated, the application is continued on other exposed areas. If any irritation develops, corticosteroid in topical form is added to the combination (1% hydrocortisone). Our patients are advised to use 5% glycolic cream in the morning, and if the pigmentation still persists, mild glycolic acid peel (20-30% solution) is performed 9 weeks after the laser procedures. Combinations of Vitamins C and E and glycolic acid are commercially available and may be useful despite the very few instances in the literature regarding their efficacy. [2] The use of microdemabrasion may be effective as an optional method to improve superficial pigmentation; however, again there are very few instances in the literature that demonstrate the success of such techniques. [3]
 References | |  |
| 1. | Goldman MP. The use of hydroquinone with facial laser resurfacing. J Cutan Laser Ther 2000;2:73-7.  [PUBMED] |
| 2. | Shim EK, Barnette D, Hughes K, Greenway HT. Microdermabrasion: A clinical and histopathological study. Dermatol Surg 2001;27:524-30. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 3. | Chan HH, Alam M, Kono T, Dover JS. Clinical application of lasers in Asians. Dermatol Surg 2002;28:556-63. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
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