J Korean Med Sci.  1996 Apr;11(2):165-170. 10.3346/jkms.1996.11.2.165.

Q-switched ruby laser in the treatment of nevus of Ota

• Yang HY
• Lee CW
• Ro YS
• Yu HJ
• Kim YT
• Kim JH
• Kim JH

• KMID: 644945
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.1996.11.2.165

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.

Keyword

Q-switched ruby laser; nevus of Ota

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Human
Infant
Laser Surgery/*instrumentation/methods
Male
Middle Age
Nevus of Ota/*surgery
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome