Evaluation of a Novel Dermal Cooling System for the Treatment of Benign Pigmented Lesions in Asians

Abstract

Objective

Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this novel dermal cooling system (DCS) in reducing pigmentation in benign pigmented lesions in Asian patients and its potential side effects.

Methods

It was a prospective open-label single-center study. Asian patients, with the presence of benign pigmented lesions mainly including lentigines, melasma, nevus spilus, ephelides, café au lait, and seborrheic keratosis were recruited for a novel DCS. The DCS provided localized cooling of the epidermal layer below freezing but was less intense than cryotherapy. Each patient received DCS at Week 0 and repeated at 4-week intervals up to 10 sessions. Global aesthetic improvement scores (GAIS) by blinded physicians and subjects were recorded at 2, 6, and 12 months posttreatment follow-up.

Results

Eighty-one patients were recruited with a total of 305 sessions performed and 1716 lesion sites treated. At 2-month posttreatment, 76.5% and 58.6% treatment sites showed obvious to marked improvement respectively and the improvement sustained at 6 and 12 months. Only minor adverse events were reported. Erythema and edema were the most commonly anticipated effects immediately after treatment. The pain was minimal. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was only reported in 2.2% (38/1716) treated sites.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this study was the first study to demonstrate that this novel DCS was an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for benign pigmented lesions in Asians.