Comparison between Peeling with Focal Trichloroacetic Acid and Quasi-Continuous Frequency-Doubled Nd:YAG (532 nm) Laser in the Treatment of Freckles

Background: benign pigmented lesions, including freckles, are common and various treatment modalities including lasers and peeling have been evaluated for their effectiveness in their treatment. objective: to compare the clinical effects of focal peeling with trichloroacetic acid (tca) and nd:yag (532 nm) laser on freckles. methods: twenty patients with freckles were treated with focal peeling with tca 25% on their left-sided lesions and nd:yag (532 nm, fluence 9.5 j/cm^2, spot size 1.5 mm) on their right-sided lesions. photographs were taken prior to treatment and at follow-up visits and were evaluated by three dermatologists and the results were analyzed. results: eighteen out of the 20 patients (90%) with freckles manifested more than 50% improvement in laser treated areas whereas clinical improvement in focal peeling treated areas was observed in 15 out of 20 (75%). the mean improvement rate for laser and focal peeling was 66.50±12% and 58.3±15%, respectively. no significant difference was observed in the treatment results between these modalities. conclusion: focal peeling with tca 25% could be as effective as frequency-doubled nd:yag (532 nm) laser in the treatment of freckles.