title: Q-switched ruby laser in the treatment of nevus of Ota.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Q-switched ruby laser in the treatment of nevus of Ota, a pigmented lesion on the face. The Q-switched ruby laser has been shown to remove tattoos without scarring. With this in mind, the nevus of Ota with pigmented cells in the dermis could be effectively treated with Q-switched ruby laser. Eighty patients (19 men, and 61 women) with nevus of Ota on the face were enlisted to be tested in evaluating the efficiency of Q-switched ruby laser therapy. The age of patients ranged from 1 to 62 years. The energy fluence used varied from 6 to 8.5 J/cm2. Treatment intervals ranged from 4 to 16 weeks, and the number of treatment sessions varied between 1 to 9 visits. During a 2-year follow-up period, more than fifty percent removal of nevus-pigment was noted in 64 of the 80 patients. Transient hyperpigmentation was noted in 32 patients lasting for 2 to 6 months after treatment; transient hypopigmentation was seen in 3 cases which recovered within one year. No patients had permanent textural or pigmentary changes or scarring. Q-switched ruby laser therapy appears to be an effective and safe modality for the treatment of nevus of Ota.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Kuri Hospital, Kyunggido, Korea.
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome