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BACKGROUND Topical application of epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes wound healing and may reduce the risk of laser-induced postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of an EGF-containing cream on the incidence of laser-induced PIH. METHODS Twenty-five Korean patients with senile lentigines were recruited and underwent 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment. Postoperatively, patients applied either an EGF-containing cream or a control cream to the laser-treated area. Skin color and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured on Days 0, 3, 7, and 35 using a Mexameter and Tewameter, respectively. RESULTS The EGF-containing cream resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in the laser-induced increase in TEWL (p = .052 on Day 7) but significantly decreased the melanin index and incidence of PIH on Day 35 (p = .031 and p = .027, respectively). CONCLUSION Epidermal growth factor-containing creams may be an effective measure to prevent laser treatment-induced PIH in Asian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]