Reducing Carbon Dioxide Laser-Induced Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation with Prophylactic Photobiomodulation: A Case Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of prophylactic photobiomodulation (PBM) in reducing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) induced by carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser resurfacing in a patient with periorbital syringomas. Background: PIH is a common condition characterized by abnormal skin pigmentation after an inflammatory process occurring in up to 20-30% of patients undergoing CO₂ laser resurfacing. Methods: The patient was treated with PBM using a pulsed home-use device at 630 nm before and after CO₂ laser treatment. The patient was asked to treat the right periorbital area before and after the CO₂ laser treatment, which was continued once a day for 2 consecutive weeks. Results: At 12 weeks, PIH was significantly reduced on the treated side compared with the contralateral untreated side (leading to persistent erythema at 6 months). Conclusions: This is the first report of prophylactic treatment of CO₂ laser-induced dyschromia using PBM.

Keywords: carbon dioxide laser; postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; prophylactic photobiomodulation; syringoma.