Comparison of the frequency-doubled Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser and 35% trichloroacetic acid for the treatment of face lentigines

BACKGROUND. Face lentigines are one of the manifestations of photodamaged skin and often put people in socially embarrassing situations. Several lasers have been used to remove lentigines at vast expense. However, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is an alternative for treating lentigines that costs much less. OBJECTIVE. To compare the efficacy of the frequency-doubled Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) and 35% TCA for the treatment of face lentigines. METHODS. Twenty patients (Fitzpatrick skin Types III-IV) with a total of 37 lentigines on faces were randomly collected; each lentigo was divided into medial and lateral halves. Frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) and 35% TCA were applied to the medial and lateral halves of each lentigo respectively. The efficacy after 1 treatment was compared after 6 months. RESULTS. The frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) had a better result than that of 35% TCA for the treatment of facial lentigines. CONCLUSION. In order to get a better result after one treatment, the authors suggest the frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) rather than 35% TCA for treating lentigines even though the cost of frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) is greater than that of 35% TCA for both physician and patient.