Efficacy and Safety of Picosecond Laser in the Treatment of Melasma: A Network Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The role of lasers in the treatment of melasma and acquired hyperpigmentation disease of the skin has been suggested by clinicians. However, there is no consensus on the most efficient and safe treatment method.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of picosecond laser in the treatment of melasma.

Methods and materials: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese scientific journal database, and Wanfang database were searched. The data for therapeutic efficacy, melasma area and severity score, and incidence rate of adverse reactions were extracted from the included studies.

Results: A total of 20 studies involving 1,182 patients were included in this network meta-analysis. Combined therapy with carbamic acid and 1064-nm picosecond laser was the best measure. Melasma area and severity index score of patients after low-power fractional CO2 laser treatment was higher than that of patients after the treatment with 1064-nm picosecond laser.

Conclusion: Aminomethyl cyclic acid combined with 1064-nm picosecond laser may have the highest effective rate after treatment. Low-power fractional CO2 laser provided the lowest melasma area and severity index score after treatment, and the incidence rate of adverse reactions after treatment, was highest when intense pulsed light was used.