Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of a Picosecond Alexandrite Laser and a Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser for the Treatment of Freckles in Chinese Patients

The study compared the efficacy and safety of a picosecond pulsed alexandrite laser (PSAL) and a Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL) for treating freckles in 20 Chinese women. Both lasers showed similar lesion clearance rates, with the PSAL achieving 76.9% and the QSAL 75.6%. There were no significant differences in patient satisfaction, pain levels, or adverse reactions between the two treatments. The PSAL used a lower fluence to achieve comparable results, suggesting it caused less photothermal damage. Reflectance confocal microscopy indicated that the PSAL might result in less heat-induced changes in melanin traits compared to the QSAL. Overall, the PSAL was found to be as effective and safe as the QSAL for treating freckles.