Lasers and Acquired Melanocytic Nevi: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Laser Surgery

Background:

• Acquired melanocytic nevi (AMN) are common cosmetic concerns.
• Patient preference for non-invasive laser treatments is increasing.
• The efficacy of lasers for AMN removal requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess the clinical utility of various laser modalities for acquired melanocytic nevus removal.
• To determine the effectiveness of different laser types and combinations in achieving lesion clearance.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases was conducted.
• Studies published up to May 9, 2024, using keywords "nevi" and "laser" were included.
• Primary outcomes included >75% lesion clearance and 95%-100% complete response, assessed by clinical evaluation.

Main Results:

• Twenty studies evaluated various lasers including CO2, Q-switched (QS) and long-pulsed (LP) ruby, Alexandrite, Nd:YAG, and Er:YAG lasers.
• Combination Er:YAG with LP Alexandrite achieved >75% clearance in 98.5%-100% of cases.
• Highest complete response rates were observed with Er:YAG/QS Nd:YAG 532 nm (89.4%), LP Alexandrite (100%), and LP Alexandrite alone (98.1%).

Conclusions:

• Combination Er:YAG with LP Alexandrite laser is highly effective for nevus clearance.
• LP Alexandrite laser alone also demonstrates excellent efficacy.
• Er:YAG combined with QS Nd:YAG 532 nm laser is another effective option for nevus removal.