Objective: To determine the results of treatment of lentigines with the so-called Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL).
Design: Descriptive.
Setting: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders. Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Method: In 15 patients (nine women and six men), QSRL treatment was applied to solar lentigines (to patients), labial lentigines (2), segmental lentigines (2) and lentigo simplex (1): The light energy ranged from 3 to 10 J/sq.cm.
Results: In 11 of 15 patients, one treatment session sufficed to remove the lesion completely. Acute side effects were slight and transient. Six months after the treatment, none of the patients showed recurrences or scar formation. No hypo- or depigmentations were seen.
Conclusion: In the cases described. QSRL is a successful treatment for lentigines. For lesions of this nature. QSRL is to be preferred above conventional forms of therapy, such as cryotherapy, chemical peeling and abrasion.