Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of melanocytic nevi changesduring diode laser hair removal: A prospective study
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Date
2022
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Abstract
Abstract Background: Laser hair removal (LHR) is a common practice with increasing useworldwide. Clinical and dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi after LHR havebeen reported but prospective studies are lacking. Objective: To describe dermoscopic changes of melanocytic nevi at different timepoints after LHR. Methods: Prospective study in a cohort of female patients undergoing diode LHR. Dermoscopic follow‐up of at least three nevi on the legs that underwent hairremoval. We included three nonexposed nevi on the arms as controls. Twoblinded investigators analyzed dermoscopic images, according to variablesselected based on the available literature. Results: Thirty‐four patients were included with a total of 148 nevi on the legs and112 nevi on the arms (controls). 47.9% (71/148) of the nevi on the legs had evidenceof dermoscopic changes at the sixth hair removal session, compared to 9.8% (11/112)on controls (p< 0.001). The most frequent change was“bleaching”(41.9%, 62/148).Also, we observed “irregular hyperpigmented areas,”and “regression structures” in5.4% (8/148) and 4.7% (7/148) of the cases at the sixth session, respectively. Neitherof these structures were observed in the controls (p<0.05). Limitations: Only females were included; we did not perform histopathologicalevaluation nor reflectance confocal microscopy of changing nevi. Conclusion: Melanocytic nevi frequently change after diode LHR. The changescannot always distinguish between LHR induced and melanoma, so we adviseavoiding nevi during laser therapies with melanin targets.
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Keywords
Bleaching, Dermoscopy, Diode, Laser hair removal, Melanocytic nevi, Nevi