• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.166-171
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by brown or dark brown colored macules and patches which mostly involve the face. Compared to nanosecond lasers, picosecond lasers have fewer adverse effects on surrounding tissues and give better results for melanin fragmentation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the pico-toning technique using a low fluence 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser on melasma patients. Materials and Methods This study is a retrospective analysis of melasma cases treated using the pico-toning technique from June 2017 to November 2020. Based on photographic images, the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score was blind evaluated by two independent plastic surgeons. Patient satisfaction was assessed through a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire after treatment sessions. All adverse effects and complications were reviewed based on medical records. Results A total of 23 patients were included in the study. The mMASI scores for baseline and 2 months after the last procedure were 5.1 ± 1.4 and 2.6 ± 0.4, respectively. The mean mMASI score reduced significantly after the treatment session (p < 0.05). The patient satisfaction score with the procedure was 3.8 ± 1.0. The subject satisfaction score and difference in the mMASI score before the procedure and 2 months after the last procedure showed a significant correlation. Adverse effects observed in this study were erythema (n = 1) and edema (n = 1). Conclusion The results of the study show that the pico-toning technique is effective in Asian patients with melasma. We believe that safety was enhanced by using low fluence, and thus better results were achieved with fewer adverse effects.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.678-684
• /
• 2012

The melanin pigment in human skin is a major defense mechanism against ultraviolet light to the skin, but darken skin color. Tyrosinase is mainly responsible for melanin biosynthesis (melanogenesis) in animals and enzymatic browning (melanosis) in plants. The purpose of this study was to optimize the fermented milk process for the melanin formation inhibition by using Lactobacillus plantarum M23 with tyrosinase inhibitory activity. We used 4-factor-3-level central composite design combining with response surface methodology. Yeast extract concentration (%, $X_1$), addition of grape (%, $X_2$), incubation temperature ($^{\circ}C$, $X_3$) and incubation time (h, $X_4$) was used as an independent factor, on the other hand, pH (pH, $Y_1$), overall palatability (score, $Y_2$) and tyrosinase inhibitory activity (%, $Y_3$) was used as a dependant factor. Based on the optimization for the highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity with pH 4.4, the expected data of pH, palatability and tyrosinase inhibitory activity with 14.8 h incubation at $37.1^{\circ}C$ by the addition of 0.127% of yeast extract, 2.95% of grape was 4.42, 7.06 and 86.65%, but the real data was 4.35, 6.86 and 84.05%, respectively. Based on the previous results, fermented milk using Lactobacillus plantarum M23 with the tyrosinase inhibitory activity could contribute for the whitening and antiaging of human skin.