Skip to main content

Laser Therapy for Pigmented Lesions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Lasers in Dermatology

Abstract

Laser therapy of pigmented lesions is a very efficacious way of removing cosmetically unappealing lesions on the skin. It is generally very safe and case reports of using lasers on pigmented lesions date back nearly half a century ago. However, as with any treatment, there are important considerations both to ensure maximal effectiveness of treatment and also to prevent potentially damaging adverse outcomes. The ability to target melanin as a chromophore and its presence in the epidermis in common skin conditions such as lentigines allows for appealing and satisfying cosmetic results. Herein, the justification and approach to treating pigmented lesions will be discussed, along with practical concerns and future directions in treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Goldman L, Igelman JM, Richfield DF. Impact of the laser on nevi and melanomas. Arch Dermatol. 1964;90:71–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Anderson RR, Parrish JA. Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation. Science. 1983;220:524–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Murphy GF, Shepard RS, Paul BS, et al. Organelle-specific injury to melanin-containing cells in human skin by pulsed laser irradiation. Lab Invest. 1983;49:680–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Funayama E, Sasaki S, Furukawa H, et al. Effectiveness of combined pulsed dye and Q-switched ruby laser treatment for large to giant congenital melanocytic naevi. Br J Dermatol. 2012;167:1085–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ross EV, Smirnov M, Pankratov M, Altshuler G. Intense pulsed light and laser treatment of facial telangiectasias and dyspigmentation: some theoretical and practical comparisons. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:1188–98.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Trotter MJ, Tron VA, Hollingdale J, Rivers JK. Localized chrysiasis induced by laser therapy. Arch Dermatol. 1995;131:1411–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Goldberg DJ. Current trends in intense pulsed light. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5:45–53.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kallio H, Paloheimo M, Maunuksela EL. Hyaluronidase as an adjuvant in bupivacaine-lidocaine mixture for retrobulbar/peribulbar block. Anesth Analg. 2000;91:934–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Vano-Galvan S, Matarredona JA, Harto A, et al. Treatment of light-coloured solar lentigines with cryotherapy plus alexandrite laser. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23:850–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kagami S, Asahina A, Watanabe R, et al. Treatment of 153 Japanese patients with Q-switched alexandrite laser. Lasers Med Sci. 2007;22:159–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Trelles MA, Allones I, Moreno-Arias GA, Velez M. Becker’s navus: a comparative study between erbium:YAG and Q-switched neodymium:YAG; clinical and histopathological findings. Br J Dermatol. 2005;152:308–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lee HS, Won CH, Lee DH, et al. Treatment of melasma in Asian skin using a fractional 1,550-nm laser: an open clinical study. Dermatol Surg. 2009;35:1499–504.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rokhsar CK, Fitzpatrick RE. The treatment of melasma with fractional photothermolysis: a pilot study. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:1645–50.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ashinoff R, Levine VJ, Soter NA. Allergic reactions to tattoo pigment after laser treatment. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21:291–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Fitzpatrick RE, Lupton JR. Successful treatment of treatment-resistant laser-induced pigment darkening of a cosmetic tattoo. Lasers Surg Med. 2000;27:358–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Franca K, Chacon A, Ledon J, Savas J, Izakovic J, Nouri K. Lasers for cutaneous congenital vascular lesions: a comprehensive overview and update. Lasers Med Sci. 2013;28:1197–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David J. Goldberg MD, JD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wu, J., Yoo, J., Goldberg, D.J. (2014). Laser Therapy for Pigmented Lesions. In: Nouri, K. (eds) Handbook of Lasers in Dermatology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5322-1_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5322-1_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-5321-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-5322-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics