Brimonidine tartrate gel plus topical steroid for the prevention of laser therapy-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation

Dermatol Ther. 2018 Sep;31(5):e12657. doi: 10.1111/dth.12657. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

Abstract

Brimonidine gel, originally approved for the treatment of facial rosacea, causes direct vasoconstriction and possesses extensive utilization in dermatologic fields. A Q-switched (QS) neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser is generally used to treat solar lentigo (SL), often leaving unwanted postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), especially in dark-skinned individuals. A 58-year-old man with Fitzpatrick skin type IV presented to remove solar lentigines from his face. Prior to and after laser treatment, topical brimonidine gel and steroid cream were applied. In this study, we investigated whether topical application of the α-adrenergic receptor agonist brimonidine could reduce PIH after QS laser treatment of lentigine in a dark-skinned patient.

Keywords: brimonidine; laser; postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brimonidine Tartrate / administration & dosage
  • Brimonidine Tartrate / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatitis / etiology
  • Dermatitis / prevention & control*
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / etiology
  • Hyperpigmentation / prevention & control*
  • Lasers, Solid-State / adverse effects*
  • Lentigo / surgery
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Gels
  • Brimonidine Tartrate
  • Methylprednisolone