Combination 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal for treatment of Becker's nevi in skin types III-VI

Authors

Shelby L. Kubicki, Department of Dermatology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA.
Emily L. Guo, Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Pooja Sodha, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Heather Richmond, Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Paul M. Friedman, Department of Dermatology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-21-2022

Journal

Lasers in surgery and medicine

DOI

10.1002/lsm.23599

Keywords

Becker's nevus; birthmark; cosmetic; laser

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Becker's nevus is a cosmetically bothersome benign hamartoma typically associated with basal layer hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. We herein present the largest case series characterizing treatment parameters and clinical outcomes of combined 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal (long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet or alexandrite) in the treatment of Becker's nevus. This is also the largest case series of laser treatment of Becker's nevus in Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients treated between 2016 and 2021. Clinical photographs were graded by three independent physicians using a 5-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: Twelve patients (mean age: 24.8 years, Fitzpatrick skin types III-VI) were treated for Becker's nevus on the face (4) or the trunk and/or extremities (8). Four patients were Fitzpatrick skin types V or VI. On average, patients received 5.3 treatments in 1-4-month intervals. Ten of the 12 patients had concomitant laser hair removal preceding same-day non-ablative fractional resurfacing (n = 7 with long-pulsed 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet and n = 3 with long-pulsed 755 nm alexandrite). The number of treatments with each modality was determined by patient satisfaction with improvement in hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. At follow-up, which ranged from 6 to 40 weeks (mean 10.5 weeks), patients were given a mean improvement score of 51%-75%. No long-term adverse events were encountered in either group. Limitations include a small sample size and a lack of long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Combination 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal is safe and efficacious in the cosmetic reduction of hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis associated with Becker's nevus, including those with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI.

APA Citation

Kubicki, Shelby L.; Guo, Emily L.; Sodha, Pooja; Richmond, Heather; and Friedman, Paul M., "Combination 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal for treatment of Becker's nevi in skin types III-VI" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1600.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1600

Department

Dermatology