Treatment of multiple eruptive hair cysts with erbium:YAG laser.

BACKGROUND

Eruptive vellus hair cysts (EVHC) frequently resist a variety of treatment modalities. While pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser has been used effectively for facial EVHC, this laser presents significant risks for hypertrophic scarring when used on truncal sites. Due to absorption of 2940 nm energy by both tissue water and protein, the erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser ablates more cleanly and creates less residual thermal injury in the wound bed. This laser might prove efficacious and safe in treating nonfacial EVHC.

OBJECTIVE

To assess treatment efficacy and wound healing after Er:YAG laser ablation of EVHC.

METHODS

Two patients with 32 truncal EVHC were treated with pulsed Er:YAG laser using a drilling technique followed by second intention healing.

RESULTS

Laser treatment sites healed without permanent dyspigmentation or hypertrophic scarring. No lesion recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSION

Er:YAG laser ablation is an effective method for treating EVHC at anatomic sites prone to hypertrophic scar formation.