LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP IN TREATMENT OF SOLAR LENTIGO AND CAFE-AU-LAIT MACULES WITH Q-SWITCHED RUBY-LASER

A Q-switched ruby laser was used for treatment of 10 patients with sol ar lentigo and 12 patients with cafe-au-lait macules. In this study, t he lesions were treated with the laser at a rate of 6 J/cm(2). The pat ients were observed for 10-21 months with an average of 13.8 months af ter the final session. Solar lentigos were treated once or twice, and the response rate was 70%. Cafe-au-lait macules were treated one to si x times, and the response rate was 33%. Side effects, such as hyperpig mentation and scar formation, were rarely seen. Therefore, Q-switched ruby laser treatment is an effective treatment for epidermal pigmented lesions; however, in patients with cafe-au-lait macules, the response s to the treatment varied, and a repigmentation was seen in 50% of the se patients. Thus, longterm follow-up is required for patients with ca fe-au-lait macules.