Laser treatment of pigmented lesions in children

Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1999 Sep;18(3):233-43. doi: 10.1016/s1085-5629(99)80021-2.

Abstract

A variety of lasers can be used to effectively treat cutaneous pigmentation in children. Furthermore, using the principle of selective photothermolysis, several pigment-specific lasers can be used to achieve significant clinical improvement if not complete removal of pigmented lesions with greatly reduced risks of scarring, textural or pigmentary changes. A summary of laser treatments for pigmented lesions that commonly present in children including café-au-lait macules, nevus of Ota and other dermal melanocytosis, congenital melanocytic nevus, nevus spilus, lentigines, epidermal nevus, Becker's nevus, and tattoos is presented. Overall, laser treatment is a very safe, effective treatment option that could offer distinct advantages compared with other conventional modalities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cafe-au-Lait Spots / radiotherapy
  • Child
  • Cicatrix / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy*
  • Lasers / adverse effects
  • Lentigo / radiotherapy
  • Nevus / radiotherapy
  • Pigmentation Disorders / etiology
  • Pigmentation Disorders / radiotherapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Tattooing