Treatment of Becker’s nevus : Comparison between Intense Pulsed Light and Frequency-double Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

Authors

  • Prapawan Chawvavanich INSTITUE OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES, BANKOK, THAILAND
  • Jinda Rojanamatin INSTITUE OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES, BANKOK, THAILAND

Keywords:

Becker’s nevus, Frequency-double Q-switched Nd:YAG Laser, Intense Pulsed Light

Abstract

Becker’s nevus are notoriously difficult to clear, because of their hamartomatous pathophysiology. Several studies reported limited success with various lasers.

Objective: This study is a pilot study to compare the efficacy of intense pulsed light(IPL) and frequency-double Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of Becker’s nevus.

Methods: Ten patients with Becker’s nevus were treated by IPL and frequency-double Q-switched Nd:YAG laser four times.

Results: The mean melanin index (MI) reduction after Q-switch Nd:YAG laser treated side is 8.516 (p = 0.007). The IPL treated side, the mean MI reduction is 1.857(p = 0.319). The Q-switch Nd:YAG laser treated side show mild improvement in 2 patients, moderate improvement in 3 patients and significant improvement in 4 patients.None reported no improvement. The IPL treated side show mild improvement in 2 patients, moderate improvement in 1 patients and significant improvement in 1 patients. Five reported no improvement. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed in both sides but more severe in the IPL treated side.

Conclusion: Frequency-double Q-switched Nd:YAG in more effective than Intense pulsed light for Becker’s nevus therapy.

References

Kilmer SL, Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE. Treatment of benign pigmented cutaneous lesions. In: Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE, Cutaneous laser surrgey, 2nd ed Missouri: Mosby 1999; 179-211.

Tanzi EL, Lupton RJ, Alster TS. Laser in dermatology : Four decades of progress. J Am Acad Dermatol 2003; 49: 1-31.

Kilmer SL. Laser eradication of pigmented lesion and tattoos. Dermatol Clin 2002;20:37-53.

Alster TS, Lupton JR. Laser therapy for cutaneous hyperpigmentation and pigmented lesions. Dermatol Ther 2001;14:46-54.

Alster TS. Laser treatment of pigmented lesions. In: Alster TS. Manual of cutaneous laser techniques. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2000. p. 53-70.

Kilmer SL, Garden JM. Laser treatment of pigmented lesions and tattoos. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2000;19:232-44.

Stratigos AJ, Dover JS, Arndt KA. Laser treatment of pigmented lesions-2000. How far have we gone? Arch Dermatol 2000;136: 915-21.

Moreno Arias GA, Ferrando J. Intense pulsed light for melanocytic lesions. Dermatol Surg 2001; 4: 397-400.

Weiss RA, Goldman MP, Weiss MA. Treatment of poikiloderma of Civatte with an intense pulsed light source. Dermatol Surg 2000; 26:823–8.

Gold MH, Foster TD, Bell MW. Nevus spilus successfully treated with an intense pulsed light source. Dermatol Surg 1999;25:254–5.

M.A. Trelles, I. Allones, G.A. Moreno-Arias and M. Ve´lez. Becker’s naevus: a comparative study between erbium:YAG and Q-switched neodymium:YAG; clinical and histopathological findings. Br J Dermatol 2005; 152:308–313

Nanni CA, Alster TS. Treatment of a Becker’s nevus using a 694-nm long-pulsed ruby laser. Dermatol Surg 1998; 24:1032–4.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-22

How to Cite

Chawvavanich, P., & Rojanamatin, J. (2026). Treatment of Becker’s nevus : Comparison between Intense Pulsed Light and Frequency-double Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Thai Journal of Dermatology, 24(4), 177–183. retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJD/article/view/283145

Issue

Section

Original articles