Treatment of Becker's nevi with a long-pulse alexandrite laser.
BACKGROUND
Becker's nevus (BN) can be a distressing cosmetic handicap for patients and a treatment challenge for physicians. Various treatment modalities have been used, but repigmentation commonly occurs after treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of long-pulse alexandrite laser in the treatment of BN.


METHODS
Eleven Korean patients with Fitzpatrick skin type III to V were included in this study. A long-pulsed alexandrite laser with a wavelength of 755 nm and a pulse duration of 3 ms was used. Patients were treated with a fluence of 20 to 25 J/cm(2) and a spot size of 15 to 18 mm. Cryogen spray cooling was not used.


RESULTS
Two patients had excellent responses, five had good responses, and four had fair responses. Hair density simultaneously decreased with treatment in all patients. Although mild hypopigmentation was observed in some patients, and partial hypertrophic scarring was observed in one patient, the outcomes were cosmetically acceptable. No repigmentation was noted during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
A long-pulsed alexandrite laser without cryogen spray cooling is an effective and safe alternative in the treatment of BN.
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Eun
JE
Choi
Ji Woong
JW
Kim
Soo Hong
SH
Seo
Sang Wook
SW
Son
Hyo Hyun
HH
Ahn
Young Chul
YC
Kye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult