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[Benign melanosis of the lip. Treatment with the Q-switched ruby laser]
C Raulin1, B Greve, W Hartschuh
1Laserklinik Karlsruhe. info@raulin.de
Background And Objective:
Benign melanosis of the lip represents a cosmetic problem for many of those who are afflicted. It responds well to therapy with Q-switched lasers. The value of previous studies has been limited by small numbers of cases or short follow-up times.
Patients/Methods:
In a retrospective study 9 patients were treated by the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm, pulse duration 25-40 ns, spot size 4 mm, energy density 10 J/cm2) in the period from 5/94 to 10/99. The benignity of the lip melanosis was determined dermatoscopically. In one case, the diagnosis was also confirmed histologically by a punch biopsy. The follow-up time was between 6 months and 5 1/2 years.
Results:
In 3 cases a complete clearance of the melanosis was achieved after one session, while in 6 patients a second treatment was required. There were no recurrences. Scars or pigment alterations were likewise not observed.
Conclusions:
The treatment of benign melanosis of the lip with the Q-switched ruby laser is an elegant and safe method with excellent cosmetic results.