Hyper- and Hypopigmentation in a Subject with Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype VI: A New Treatment Option

ABSTRACT

Abstract: Background: Laser therapies can cause hyper- and hypopigmentation of the skin. There is little evidence in the literature of effective treatments for these types of problems in Fitzpatrick skin
phototypes IV–VI. The main aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effects of a new therapy
that combines the application of electromagnetic fields and vacuum on a subject with Fitzpatrick
skin phototype VI, who presented extensive, laser-induced facial dyschromia. The secondary aim is
to test the effectiveness of a free imaging software for assessing skin pigmentation.

Methods: The level of improvement after therapy was evaluated, with a 5-point Likert scale, one month after the end of the treatment by the subject and by the doctor who performed the treatment, and by two blinded dermatologists. With the free software, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the treated area and the evaluation of the color distribution were performed.

Results: Both the subject and the
doctors involved in the study positively evaluated the effects of the treatment. The image analysis
highlighted the homogenization of the skin color in the treated area. Conclusions: The combination
of electromagnetic fields and vacuum for dyschromia treatments appears promising. The new method of assessing melanin levels resulted particularly efficient.

Keywords: dyschromia; dark color skin; laser side effects; electromagnetic field; vacuum