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. 2015 Jul-Aug;60(4):364-8.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.160481.

Repigmentation of Hypopigmented Scars Using Combination of Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Latanoprost Vs. Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser Alone

Amir Hossein Siadat  1 , Reza Rezaei  1 , Ali Asilian  1 , Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini  2 , Mehrdad Rakhshanpour  1 , Mehdi Raei  3 , Seyed Mohsen Hosseini  4
Affiliations

Repigmentation of Hypopigmented Scars Using Combination of Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Latanoprost Vs. Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser Alone

Amir Hossein Siadat et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2015 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: Fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) can treat hypopigmented scars. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog used to treat glaucoma. It can cause adverse effects, such as periocular hyperpigmentation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of latanoprost plus CO2 laser on the repigmentation of hypopigmented scars.

Patients and methods: 28 patients with hypopigmented scars were divided randomly into two groups. The patients in group A were treated in six sessions (1-month intervals) with 10600-nm fractional CO2 laser plus latanoprost 0.005% and those of group B fractionated CO2 laser plus placebo (distilled water). Digital photographs were taken at baseline and 3 months after the last treatment session. The blinded dermatologist compared the photographs and evaluated the efficacy of treatment in the hypopigmented scars using a 4-scale point (grade 1-4). Patient satisfaction was scored from 0 to 10 on a visual analog scale.

Results: Follow-up results 12 weeks after the last treatment session demonstrated that 11 of the 14 patients in group A had more than 50% improvement in hypopigmentation The difference in improvement of the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.027). The mean of the VAS scores of patients in group A was 6.50 ± 1.45 and in group B 4.57 ± 1.6. The difference in mean satisfaction of the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.003). Side effects were mild and resolved within 1 to 5 days.

Conclusion: The fractional CO2 laser resurfacing plus topical latanoprost can be used as a safe and efficacious method to treat hypopigmented scars.

Keywords: Fractionated carbon dioxide laser; fractionated carbon dioxide laser; hypopigmented scars; latanoprost.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flow-chart of the study
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Hypopigmented facial Leishmaniasis scars on the left cheek at baseline in 45-year-old female (b) Marked improvement in pigmentation 3 month after six fractional resurfacing plus topical latanoprost treatments
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Hypopigmented traumatic scars in 15-year-old female in the forehead before treatment (b) Follow-up 3 month after six treatment sessions of fractional resurfacing plus topical latanoprost
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between skin phototype and satisfactory treatment. Higher improvement scores with darker skin phototype (P=0.13)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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