title: Treatment of trichostasis spinulosa in skin phototypes III, IV, and V with an 800-nm pulsed diode laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  : Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a common follicular disorder that results from the retention of multiple vellus hairs within pilosebaceous follicles. A variety of treatment modalities have been used with variable but largely transient success.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  : To determine whether a pulsed diode laser irradiation would provide a therapeutic response to TS for a prolonged period.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Thirteen subjects with untreated TS and skin phototypes III, IV, and V were treated with a 800-nm pulsed diode laser at fluences ranging from 24 to 40 J/cm2 (mean, 36 J/cm2) and a 12- to 20-ms (mean 18 ms) pulse width. Two treatments were delivered at 4-week intervals. Evaluation of improvement was performed at 4 and 20 weeks after the last treatment by a blinded assessment of clinical photographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Complete clearing of the lesions was achieved for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. A decrease in dark-plug appearance of greater than 50% was noted in half of the subjects 20 weeks after the second treatment. No pigmentary changes and scarring occurred in any subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : Pulsed diode laser proved to be a safe and long-term effective treatment for TS in dark-skinned individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. siwnn@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Woraphong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Manuskiatti
authors.forename: Niyom
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tantikun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000528:radiation effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome