Reversing precancerous actinic damage by mixing wavelengths (1064 nm, 532 nm)

Background: Premalignancies resulting from photodamage, such as actinic keratosis and carcinoma in situ, can be treated with various modalities. Most of these treatments may reverse or treat these conditions although they often involve considerable skin irritation over a long period of time, are very uncomfortable for the patients or they need many office visits and sometimes are very expensive, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Objective : To study the effectiveness of a mixed session of Q-switched KTP 532 nm and Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser treatment on precancerous lesions resulting from solar damage. Methods : Ten patients with long-standing actinic damage/keratosis or carcinoma in situ were subjected to only one session of mixed Q-switched KTP 532 nm and Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser treatment. Lesions were evenly and repeatedly scanned with both wavelengths until light pain or purpura presented. Results : All patients responded extremely well within a period of 20 days, with just one session, with virtually no pain, minimum irritation, no down time at all and excellent cosmetic outcome. Conclusion : The use of a mixed Q-switched 532 nm and Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser session seems to be ideal for treating precancerous lesions resulting from photodamage since it can be a fast, painless and simple office procedure with no down time and minimum discomfort for the patient. This method proves to be much more selective than traditional intense pulse light (IPL) photorejuvenation.