Effectiveness of Epidermal Growth Factor-containing Ointment on the Solar Lentigines
Effectiveness of Epidermal Growth Factor-containing Ointment on the Solar Lentigines
Subjects were randomly assigned to groups for treatment with either an EGF-containing
 ointment (the study group) or the vehicle alone (petrolatum; the control group). The EGF
 ointment included recombinant human EGF (1 μg/g). Random numbers used for assignment to
 groups were provided by the randomization function of SAS.

 The subjects received one session of laser treatment with a Q-switched (QS) 532-nm Nd:yttrium
 aluminum garnet (YAG) laser of their solar lentigines after enrollment. . The end point of
 laser treatment for lentigines was immediate whitening. The subjects then applied the EGF
 ointment or vehicle twice daily (morning and evening) to the lesion for 4 weeks after laser
 treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Clinical diagnosis of solar lentigines that occurred after adulthood

 -  age of 20 years or older.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  uncontrolled systemic or chronic disease

 -  hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the ointment

 -  current use of skin whitening agents

 -  a history of other laser treatments within the past 6 months

 -  pregnancy

 -  lactation.