title: Treatment of trichostasis spinulosa with 0.5-millisecond pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser.
abstract: Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a follicular disorder in which multiple hairs in a keratinous sheath project above the skin surface. Current treatments provide temporary relief and side effects are common. We report the successful treatment of TS in 20 patients using a short-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser. The 20 patients (skin types II-V) presented with TS lesions on the tip of their nose. All patients received a single treatment (one to three passes) with the laser with cold air cooling but without anaesthesia or analgesia. Treatment parameters were as follows: pulse duration 0.5 ms, fluence 15-17 J/cm(2), and spot size 5 mm. The entire procedure required less than 5 min to perform. The patients were followed up for 3 months for any adverse effects or recurrence. In all patients the lesions disappeared immediately after treatment with minimal or no pain. Erythema was minimal and lasted 5-20 min in all patients. Patients were very satisfied. The treated areas were still clear 4 to 5 weeks later, and a second treatment was not considered necessary. There were adverse effects other than the erythema and there was no recurrence within the follow-up period of 3 months. A single treatment with a short-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser appears to be a rapid, minimally painful, and effective treatment for TS in patients of skin types II to V.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. ashrafbadawi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Badawi
authors.forename: Mouhamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashmar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome