Combined laser therapy for difficult dermal pigmentation: Resurfacing and selective photothermolysis

Treating pigmented lesions of the skin, especially deep dermal pigmentation s, are difficult to achieve satisfactory results without complications. To treat dermal pigmentations, such as nevus of Ota and congenital nevus, the combined therapy of a resurfacing laser (CO2) and a selective photothermoly tic laser (the Q-Switched Ruby Laser [QSRL]) was tried, and the results wer e compared with those treated with the QSRL alone. Combined laser therapy h as been performed in 47 patients with nevus of Ota since 1995. The mean tre atment period was 6 months and the mean number of treatment was five. Of 47 patients, 46 (98%) showed excellent results. To treat congenital nevus, co mbined laser therapy was used in 15 patients, and 12 (80%) showed good to e xcellent results. By combining resurfacing and selective lasers, the treatm ent period has been reduced by 2 to 3 months, and the number of treatments has been reduced two- to threefold. Furthermore, treatment of congenital ne vus has become possible, which was not the case with the QSRL alone. The Er :YAG laser can be used for resurfacing instead of the CO2 laser because it causes less thermal damage and faster wound healing.