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Using a 1064-nm Picosecond Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
Published on: May 23, 2025
Intense Pulsed Light Alone and in Combination with Erbium Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser on Small-to-Medium Sized
Mi So Lee1, Hee Jin Jun1, Sang Hyun Cho2
1Department of Dermatology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
Treatment of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) with intense pulsed light (IPL) has recently produced promising results.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical and histological outcomes of small-to-medium sized CMN treated with IPL alone and in combination with erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective chart review of 26 small-to-medium sized CMN treated as described above. The reduction in visible pigmentation, signs of recurrence and any adverse skin changes were evaluated by two independent clinicians.
Results:
Seventeen patients completed treatment and were followed-up. Nine were not able to complete treatment due to work, change in residence, and treatment related stress. Ten patients received IPL alone (mean: 10.5 sessions) and 7 underwent treatment with IPL (mean: 7.7 sessions) and Er: YAG/IPL combination therapy (mean: 4.7 sessions). The initial treatment outcome was cleared in 5 patients and excellent in 12. Fourteen patients (82.4%) showed CMN recurrence one year after treatment completion. The histological results from a patient with an excellent clinical outcome showed remnant nevus cells nests in the deep dermis.
Conclusion:
IPL treatment alone and in combination with Er: YAG laser are not definitive treatments for CMN and should not be considered as first-line treatment.
