Efficacy and Safety of Low-Fluence 730-nm Picosecond Laser in the Treatment of Melasma in Chinese Patients.

Background: The 730-nm picosecond laser has shown promise in treating various benign pigmentary conditions, and it is yet to be determined whether it is effective and safe for melasma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits and risks of using the 730-nm picosecond laser to remove melasma.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients who presented to the clinic between April 2021 and April 2022 for the treatment of melasma with 730-nm picosecond laser alone. The efficacy of the laser was assessed based on the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score using high-resolution photographs evaluated by blinded dermatologists.

Results: A total of 25 Chinese with Fitzpatrick skin Type II to IV were included. Patients were treated for an average of 3.56 ± 0.77 treatment sessions. The mean MASI scores decreased by 33.7% from 11.38 ± 6.60 to 7.55 ± 6.08 at an average of 8.48 ± 2.16 weeks of follow-up (p < .001). Among the patients, 1 experienced a 79% decrease, 6 had a decrease ranging from 51% to 75%, 10 had a decrease ranging from 26% to 50%, 5 had a decrease of less than 25%, and 3 experienced no changes in MASI scores. No hyper/hypopigmentation was observed.

Conclusion: Low-fluence 730-nm picosecond laser is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of melasma in Chinese patients.