Alternative Medicine Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alternative Medicine, including details on complementary medicine, alternative therapies, homeopathy.

532-nm diode laser treatment of seborrheic keratoses with color enhancement.

Culbertson GR

Iris Surgery Center, Sumter, South Carolina 29150, USA. gcul2047@ftc-i.net

BACKGROUND: Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are benign cutaneous tumors of the epidermis. Localization in the head and neck areas can produce an unsightly appearance. Recurrence after curettage, shave excision, cryoablation, or chemical peel can be common. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine if laser ablation with the 532-nm laser and color enhancement is effective in removing SKs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 326 patients who presented with 1,567 benign SKs were treated with the DioLite (Iridex Corp.) and VersaPulse cosmetic (Coherent Inc.) 532-nm diode lasers with color enhancement using a red marker or ferric subsulfate. The DioLite was set at 27 to 30 J with a 2- to 3-mm spot size, and a 10-ms pulse width was used for ablation. The VersaPulse was set at a lower energy of 9.5 to 12 J/cm(2) with a 3-mm spot size, 3- to 6-Hz repetition rate, and 10-ms pulse duration for ablation. All patients were Caucasian. RESULTS: Complete resolution of the SKs occurred in 93% of lesions. Seven percent of SKs required a second round of laser treatment for incomplete ablation. There were no cases of hyperpigmentation or hypertrophic scar formation of the skin following laser treatment. Hypopigmentation occurred in 6% of patients and was associated with old, chronic, or recalcitrant lesions.

Published 28 March 2008 in Dermatol Surg, 34(4): 525-8; discussion 528.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Alternative Medicine Research Today. All Rights Reserved.