Background: The nevus of Ota is a benign dermal melanocytic lesion that has previously proved difficult to treat. Recently, the Q-switched ruby laser has been reported to be successful in treating benign pigmented lesions and tattoos.
Objective: Our study evaluates the treatment of 16 patients with nevus of Ota with the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm).
Methods: Sixteen patients with nevus of Ota were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser with a pulse width of 28 nsec and energy fluences ranging from 7.5 to 10 J/cm2. Response to treatment was assessed by an independent investigator with photographs.
Results: The average number of treatments was 3.8 per patient. After two treatments, 44% of patients showed a 50% or greater improvement. After three treatments, 85% of patients showed a 50% or greater improvement; after four treatments, 100% of patients showed 50% or greater improvement. No patients had permanent textural changes or scarring.
Conclusion: High-energy fluences of the Q-switched ruby laser lead to significant improvement without scarring of nevus of Ota after a few treatments.