Dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi following hair removal laser: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Changes in the appearance of melanocytic nevi have been increasingly reported following hair removal lasers. This could be a source of anxiety in patients doing cosmetic hair removal lasers. Moreover, taking biopsy of any changed nevus following laser is not routinely practical. Therefore, this study was designed to describe dermoscopic changes happened on acquired junctional melanocytic nevi after photo-depilation methods.

METHOD: In this prospective study, 66 melanocytic nevi in 27 patients were chosen. Dermoscopic images were taken at the baseline visit and 2 months following single session of hair removal laser. Afterward, the before and after laser images were compared for any change in the structure and color of the nevi.

RESULTS

Dermoscopic images showed alterations in nevi following laser including changes in size in 33%, color in 63.6%, newly developed asymmetry in 12.1%, and regression in 3% of nevi. Besides, alteration in reticular and dots and globules pattern was found in 92.5% and 69.32%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hair removal laser could induce considerable changes in appearance of acquired junctional melanocytic nevi. Dermoscopic study before and after the process could help to avoid unnecessary excision of suspected lesions.