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Usefulness of a Narrow-Band Reflectance Spectrophotometer in Evaluating Effects of Depigmenting Treatment

2001; Springer Science+Business Media; Volume: 25; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/s002660010109

1432-5241

Kotaro Yoshimura, Kiyonori Harii, Yuji Masuda, Motoji Takahashi, Takao Aoyama, Tatsuji Iga,

Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects

As a depigmenting treatment, combined topical applications of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) aqueous gel and 5% hydroquinone, 7% lactic acid ointment were used for Oriental patients with hyperpigmented skin lesions such as senile lentigines and nevus spilus. A narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer and a tristimulus colorimeter were used to evaluate objectively the intensity of pigmentation and erythema at each clinical visit. L*, a*, and b* values measured with a tristimulus colorimeter (Chroma Meter CR-300) enabled the evaluation of erythema but not pigmentation. On the other hand, the melanin and hemoglobin values measured with a narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX-16) expressed both erythema and pigmentation well. It was revealed that, in our bleaching protocol, the narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer was quite useful for estimating accurately the intensity of pigmentation and erythema and determining the best time point for the cessation of atRA treatment.