“A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER WITH TOPICAL BIMATOPROST 0.03% VERSUS FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER WITH TOPICAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA

Abstract

Introduction -Discovery of eyelash hypertrichosis induced by topical Bimatoprost in patients treated for glaucoma has led to exploring the potential of this therapeutic modality in alopecia areata. Fractional LASER assisted drug delivery provides channels for uniform and controlled delivery of topical Bimatoprost over Alopecia Areata Patches.

Aims &Objectives-To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of Fractional CO2 LASER with Topical Bimatoprost 0.03% Versus Fractional CO2 LASER with Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide in treatment of Alopecia Areata.

Materials and Methods-Total Sample Size is 74 which is divided into two groups–A and B. Sample size per group is 37. 37 participants in Group-A were treated with Fractional CO2 Laser with Topical Bimatoprost 0.03% for 5 sittings at interval of 3 weeks. 37 participants in Group-B were treated with Fractional CO2 Laser with Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide (10mg/ml) for 5 sittings with interval of 3 weeks.

Serial photographs and Lesional Area and Density (LAD) Score at baseline and at follow up sittings were documented.

Results-Average percentage of improvement in LAD score calculated for 37 patients in each group after 5 sittings of respective treatment modality was 95.3% and 75.6% in Group-A and Group-B respectively. Except transient erythema, Group-A had lesser or no adverse effects like edema, atrophy of skin and post inflammatory hypo/hyperpigmentation when compared with Group-B.