Journal of Dental Specialities 2022;10(2):62–66 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals Journal of Dental Specialities Journal homepage: https://www.jdsits.in/ Original Research Article Journey to a confident smile: Management of hyperpigmented lips with 940 nm diode laser along with topical vitamin C - A case series Anjali Singh 1, *, Shalini Dubey 1 , Bhavneet Kaur 1 , Joohi Chandra 1 , Vidya Sekhar 1 , Sumit Malhotra 1 1 Dept. of Periodontology and Implantology, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 30-06-2022 Accepted 18-07-2022 Available online 05-09-2022 Keywords: Ozone gel Chlorhexidine gel Gingivitis Plaque ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the results of Diode Laser along with topical Vitamin C in management hyperpigmented lips. Materials and Methods: Two systemically healthy patients (1 male and 1 female) were chosen with hyperpigmentaed lips. Demographic record including the age, sex, duration of symptoms, nature and course of progression, history of treatment done if any, and familial predisposition of melasma was taken. All the patients were also instructed not to use any external cosmetic agent throughout the course of the therapy. A duly signed informed consent was taken after explaining the complete procedure to patient. Both cases went through Laser depigmentation session; topical anesthetic cream Prilox (2.5% lignocaine) was applied 40 minutes prior to each session. Vit C lip balm was prescribed after 3 weeks for better healing. Results: There was a significant reduction in DOPI score for both the patients. A scale 4 colour improvement at 21 days postoperatively for both which signifies “great improvement”. Pain and discomfort were measured by using VAS scale with a score 2 i.e. slight pain during the procedure and during 24 hours after the Laser ablation of the lips. Patient scored 3 which is completely satisfied on the Likert’s scale. Conclusion: Diode laser can be used as potential tool to achieve good aesthetic results for the management of lip hyperpigmentation and it is sufficiently tolerated by patients with minimal pain and lesser adverse effects. This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com 1. Introduction Lips form an important aspect of our smile. The contour and shape of the lips and its colour defines lip’s beauty and are integral element of so. Pink and reddish colour of the lips is normally observed but it could varies from individual to individual. This depends on various factors some of which include production of melanin, skin colour, vascular supply of the lip and extent of dryness (dehydration) of the lips. Lip darkening has been a common problem among people. Wide variety of conditions that are associated * Corresponding author. E-mail address: anjalitasma@gmail.com (A. Singh). with the darkening of lips are physiologic changes, some non-melanotic conditions, inflammatory diseases, genodermatoses, drugs and chemicals, endocrinologic disorders, benign and malignant neoplasm. Factors influencing lip colour changes may include sun exposure, smoking, vascular lesions, anaemia, syndromes, medications, antimicrobial antifungals, topical chemicals, hormones, skin colour etc. The change of the lip colour is usually considered unesthetic. This affects the patient’s self- confidence and social activities. Lips have minor salivary glands and have extensive supply nerve endings, which render them sensitive to pain; therefore, any procedures performed on the lips should https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jds.2022.017 2320-7302/© 2022 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 62