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Lasers have revolutionized the treatment of nevus of Ota and other dermal melanocytoses. The Q-switched ruby (694 nm), Q-switched alexandrite (755 nm), and Q-switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm) lasers have all been shown to effectively treat nevus of Ota. As with many new treatments, adverse effects accompany the benefits, and this long-term, large study from a Japanese hospital proves that these treatments are no exception.
More than 400 patients with nevus of Ota were treated over 16 years; 101 of these patients were treated with the Q-switched ruby laser and evaluated 1 year after the last treatment. Long-standing hypopigmentation was the most common side effect, affecting almost 17 percent of patients. Almost 6 percent of patients had hyperpigment…