Objectives: Dermoscopy is a well known non-invasive method for the in vivo study of pigmented skin lesions. This technique allows for viewing the parameters that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Over recent years dermoscopy has proved to be extremely useful even on dermatological pathologies of an inflammatory origin and skin parasitosis. Over the last decade, the rapid development of new laser technologies has brought radical changes to clinical practice in dermatology.
Introduction: At the present time, laser and IPL equipements are able to resolve often disfiguring skin problems, with excellent patient compliance and shorter recovery times, thus replacing conventional surgical therapies which are not able to guarantee the same results. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the validity of dermoscopy before, during and after treatments with laser and/or IPL.
Materials / method: One hundred and fifty patients (93 females – 57 males), Fitzpatrick skintypes I–IV with an age ranged from 16 to 82 years (median age 48.4), have been consecutively treated in a period between 2015 and 2019 for many skin lesions with different laser sources (CO2, Fractional CO2, Dye, Q-switched, Nd:Yag) and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Dermoscopic digital images of all patients were taken at the initial visit, immediately after each session by using a digital camera equipped with a special dermoscopic objective .
Results: Our results demonstrated the possibility to predict the efficacy of each treatment performed by different laser sources or IPL. In particular, the absence of residual lesion or modification of the scar's tissue after surgical or fractional laser procedure, the pop-corn effect in solar lentigines, melasma and tattoos after Q-Switched, the variation of color of brownish spots or vessels after IPL are demonstration of efficacy of specific method.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we would like to underline how the dermoscopic exam resulted versatile, simple and effective in the clinical practice thus we emphasise its use in a routinely protocol to predict the result of specific laser and/or IPL treatment.
Declaraciones
¿Ha recibido algún tipo de financiamiento para realizar su investigación sobre esta temática?
No
¿Ha recibido algún pago, honorario u otra compensación por su trabajo acerca de esta investigación?
No
¿Tiene vínculos financieros con alguna entidad que podría llegar a competir estrechamente con los medicamentos, materiales o instrumentos tratados en su investigación?
Si
Por favor especifique las entidades (individuo, empresa, sociedad): Deka Mela srl
¿Posee o ha solicitado una patente relacionada a los materiales, productos o instrumentos utilizados en su investigación?
No
Este trabajo no cuenta con el apoyo de ningún financiamiento directo o indirecto. El autor asume plena responsabilidad sobre el mismo.