Long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for keratosis pilaris

Authors

  • Marisa Pongprutthipan DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Pichai Saelim DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Suwimon Pootongkam DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Vorapicha Jariyasethavong DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Pravit Asawanonda DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, FACULTY OF MEDICINE, CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK, THAILAND

Keywords:

Keratosis Pilaris, Long-pulsed Nd:YAG Laser

Abstract

Background: Keratosis pilaris is a common disorder in adolescence. Topical treatment including emollients, lactic acid, salicylic acid and retinoic acid have provided unsatisfactory results and there are few reports regarding laser for keratosis pilaris.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of keratosis pilaris lesions.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with untreated keratosis pilaris on the upper outer arms were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. One arm was treated with 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser at pulse width 30 msec, fluence 34 J/cm2. The patients received 3 consecutive treatments at 4-week intervals. At baseline, 4 weeks after the last treatment, photographs were taken. Three blinded dermatologists assessed digital photographs using a quartile grading system to rate a global assessment score, erythema score and hyperkeratotic papules score.

Results: Seventeen patients completed the study. There were statistically significant differences in global improvement scores, erythema scores and hyperkeratotoic papules scores at 4 weeks after the last treatment (p < .05). All patients stated that their lesions improved and were satisfied with the laser treatment.

Conclusion: 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser has been shown to improve keratosis pilaris at the upper outer arms in Thai patients when compared with control at 4 weeks after the last treatment.

References

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Published

2026-06-11

How to Cite

Pongprutthipan, M., Saelim, P., Pootongkam, S., Jariyasethavong, V., & Asawanonda, P. (2026). Long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for keratosis pilaris. Thai Journal of Dermatology, 27(2), 121–129. retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJD/article/view/282964

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Original articles