A 1064-nm Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Picosecond Laser for the Treatment of Hyperpigmented Scars

BACKGROUNDPigmentation is one of the few major characteristics according to which scars are evaluated. Data on the treatment of the hyperpigmented component of scars are sparse.OBJECTIVEThe authors aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the fractional 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) picosecond laser in the treatment of the hyperpigmented component of scars.METHODSSixteen patients with hyperpigmented scars underwent 3 to 8 treatment sessions at 3- to 6-week intervals with the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser (PicoWay, Candela, Resolve handpiece). The treatment response was evaluated by 2 noninvolved dermatologists on a global assessment scale (GAS) of 1 to 4. A Mexameter quantitatively evaluated the melanin content of the scar before and after laser treatments.RESULTSThe average GAS score of the 2 noninvolved dermatologists was 3.31 ± 0.57. The patients assessed their level of tolerance as good or excellent and their satisfaction level as moderate or high. The Mexameter showed that the melanin index decreased considerably (by 39.11 ± 11.58%) in all patients after treatment.CONCLUSIONThe fractionated nonablative picosecond Nd:YAG laser was effective for the treatment of the hyperpigmented component of scars.