Beneficial Effects of Early Treatment of Nevus of Ota With Low-Fluence 1,064-nm Q-Switched Nd

BACKGROUND: Childhood nevus of Ota is likely to be more superficial than the adult nevus, therefore early laser treatment of nevus of Ota might have some beneficial effects in children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the beneficial effects of early treatment of nevus of Ota with a low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective study of 31 Korean patients (Fitzpatrick skin Type IV) with nevus of Ota. The patients received a series of 6 to 32 treatment sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at settings of 7- or 8-mm spot, 1.9 to 5.0 J/cm2 mean fluence. RESULTS: The mean fluence was less in patients younger than 10 years (2.2 ± 0.3 J/cm2) than in those older than 10 years (2.8 ± 0.8 J/cm2) (p = .006). Patients who started their first treatment earlier required fewer treatment sessions to reach moderate, marked, and near total improvement (p < .05). By starting treatment early, low mean fluence was required to reach the end point in each session (p < .001). Post-treatment hyperpigmentation was observed in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: This treatment was clinically effective and safe for early nevus of Ota using a low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.