Efficacy of Q-switched Nd : YAG laser in treatment of melanocytic nevi

Abstract

Background Melanocytic neviare very common and usually harmless. Most require no treatment. However, some people may request nevi removal for cosmetic reasons. The Q-switched (QS) Nd : YAG laser is capable of penetrating into the deeper regions of the skin. Therefore, it is able to destroy melanocytes. Patients and methods This study was carried out on 100 patients who presented with acquired melanocytic nevi and attended the laser unit of the Dermatology and Andrology Department at Al-Azhar University Hospital (Assiut) between October 2018 and December 2019. Results The patients were subjected to treatment by QS Nd : YAG lasers for six consecutive sessions at 4–6-week intervals. Regarding efficacy of QS Nd : YAG laser in the treatment of melanocytic nevi, there was a significant reduction in size of melanocytic nevi at baseline and after lasers treatment, with 80% of patients having some degree of improvement. Considering QS Nd : YAG laser’s safety, 80% of the patients had no history of complications, only 9% of the patients had history of scar formation, 4% had positive history of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), and 7% had both. Conclusion QS Nd : YAG lasers is found to be effective and safe as a single treatment in patients with acquired melanocytic nevi. The parameters of patient’s age, duration, and size of nevi can predict laser treatment response in patients with acquired melanocytic nevi.

Keywords

• acquired melanocytic nevi; q-switched nd : yag laser; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation