@Article{
AUTHOR = {Lee, Kar Wai Alvin Lee and Chan, Kwin Wah Lisa Chan and Lee, Cheuk Hung Lee},
TITLE = {Lentigines Removal Using Lee-Chan Radiofrequency Ablation-Intense Pulsed Light Technique: Case Series and Literature Review},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Cosmetic and Regenerative Medicine},
VOLUME = {1},
YEAR = {2026},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {0--0},
URL = {https://jcrm.jams.pub/article/1/2/35},
ISSN = {3107-2933},
ABSTRACT = {Background: Lentigines, particularly solar lentigines, are common benign pigmented lesions arising predominantly on chronically sun-exposed skin. Although medically benign, they frequently generate significant cosmetic concern and may impair self-image, especially when numerous, enlarging, recurrent, or distributed over highly visible facial and acral sites. Established treatment options include topical depigmenting agents, cryotherapy, chemical peels, pigment-specific lasers, and intense pulsed light (IPL). However, selected patients desire more immediate lesion removal than can be achieved with topical therapy alone, while ablative approaches may produce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), particularly in Fitzpatrick skin types III–VI. Aim: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) allows rapid focal lesion destruction with hemostasis and precision, whereas IPL is an established modality for treating residual dyschromia and broader photodamage. This case series and literature review evaluates the efficacy and safety of the Lee-Chan radiofrequency ablation-intense pulsed light technique for lentigines removal and subsequent pigment optimization. Methods: Three patients with extensive benign pigmented facial lesions were treated using the Lee-Chan staged protocol. The updated series comprised one patient with big lentigine and two patients with extensive predominant solar lentigines, one of whom also had background dyschromia with melasma. Because of the extensive facial involvement, radiofrequency surgical treatment was performed in two sessions separated by 4 weeks, followed by intense pulsed light (IPL) after re-epithelialization to reduce post-procedural hyperpigmentation, residual pigmentation, and generalized photodamage. Clinical outcomes included lesion clearance, textural improvement, pigment reduction, skin quality, cosmetic blending, downtime, tolerability, and patient-reported satisfaction. Results: Across the updated three cases, radiofrequency treatment achieved effective removal of the targeted benign pigmented lesions with excellent procedural control and no major complications. Subsequent IPL contributed to reduction of residual dyschromia and post-procedural pigmentation while also improving overall skin texture, pore prominence, tone uniformity, and perceived facial rejuvenation. At final follow-up, the patients showed high cosmetic acceptability, no hypertrophic scarring, and marked improvement in the treated areas, including enhanced skin glow, softening of fine wrinkles, and visible tightening in selected regions. Conclusions: The Lee-Chan RFA-IPL technique appears to be a practical and cosmetically advantageous staged approach for selected patients with extensive benign pigmented facial lesions, including solar lentigines and related seborrheic keratotic changes. Radiofrequency treatment provides immediate focal lesion removal, whereas IPL serves as a complementary modality for minimizing residual pigmentation, improving photodamaged skin, and optimizing the final aesthetic result. The updated case series further supports the value of combining lesion-directed ablation with subsequent field-based light therapy in patients concerned about scarring, hyperpigmentation, and overall facial rejuvenation.},
DOI = {10.65381/jcrm.2026.01020025}
}