Treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia with a novel 1,720-nm laser

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common benign proliferation of sebaceous glands. Multiple treatment methods have been applied in the past, including electrodessication, ablative and visible light lasers, applications of acids, and photodynamic therapy. Often, however, only the superficial component of the lesion is treated, leading to rapid recurrence. It has been shown that human fat has absorption peaks at 1,210 nm and 1,720 nm. We report the first use of a novel 1,720-nm laser in the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia in human subjects.

Four patients with sebaceous hyperplasia underwent a test spot treatment followed by 2 full treatment sessions using the 1,720-nm laser. Photos were taken before treatment, at each treatment session, and 3 months following the last treatment. Pretreatment photographs and 3-month follow-up photographs were compared to assess efficacy.

Four weeks after the final treatment, 3 dermatologists blinded to the date of the photographs and uninvolved with the study evaluated the photos and scored them based on a global assessment comprised of: 1) lesion diameter, 2) lesion height, and 3) lesion color. Many of the lesions resolved almost completely after a single treatment, and no additional treatment was required. Overall, there was a reduction in the color, diameter, and height of the lesions. Crusts were noted by all patients and resolved within 10 days.

The use of this novel device that exploits the intrinsic selectivity of 1,720 nm achieved nearly complete clearance of sebaceous hyperplasia lesions without depressions or scarring. Complete heating of the sebaceous gland and sparing of the surrounding skin offered by this device resulted in clinically apparent improvement with a minimum of adverse effects.