New picosecond laser shows promise in treating pigmentation in dark-skinned patients

A case report, published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM), has suggested that a new 730nm picosecond laser may be safe and effective for the treatment of pigmentary disorders in darker-skinned patients.

Picosecond lasers were initially developed to enable faster tattoo removal but have also shown efficacy in treating endogenous pigmentary disorders. 

The study, Successful Treatment of Pigmentary Disorders in Asians With a Novel 730-nm Picosecond Laser, was led by Sang Ju Lee and Hye Sung Han and focusses on the treatment of two Asian patients with pigmentary disorders.

In both patients, a significant reduction of pigmentation was achieved with only one treatment session. Treatments were also well tolerated with minimal discomfort even without topical anesthesia. No post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or repigmentation was observed at the six-week follow-up.

Dermatolgists have warned consumers about the dangers of using at-home pigmentation-removal pens.