INFRAORBITAL PIGMENTED SKIN - PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS OF LASER THERAPY

BACKGROUND. The presence of infraorbital dark skin, often known as dar k circles under the eyes, is a frequent cosmetic concern. There has be en little reported on therapy of this condition. One group of patients was determined to have dermal melanin deposition, which we treated wi th a Q-switched ruby laser. OBJECTIVE. Our study evaluated the clinica l and histological appearance of infraorbital skin pigment in 17 patie nts with dermal melanin deposition treated with a Q-switched ruby lase r. METHODS. Seventeen patients with melanin deposition were treated wi th the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm) with a pulse width of 28 nanosec onds and fluences of 7.5 J/cm(2). Response to treatment was assessed b y an independent investigator with patient and photograph evaluation. Skin biopsies were obtained in nine of the 17 patients. RESULTS. Of th ose patients treated with one Q-switched ruby session, 23.5% achieved a greater than 50% response. Of those treated twice, 88.9% achieved gr eater than 50% response. In postreatment skin biopsies there was reduc tion of dermal melanin deposition. CONCLUSIONS. Patients with infraorb ital pigmented skin due to dermal melanin deposition may be considered candidates for Q-switched Ruby laser treatment.