Becker's
nevus (BN) is a cutaneous
hamartoma of benign nature that develops through adolescence and affects mostly young men. The
nevus is usually located unilaterally and is characterized by
hypertrichosis and
hyperpigmentation. Despite recent advances in treatment modalities, no effective treatment has been established for BN
hyperpigmentation. We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of fractional
Erbium: YAG 2940 nm and Q-switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm
lasers in the treatment of BN
hyperpigmentation. Twenty-three patients with BN were included in a prospective, randomized-controlled, observer-blinded, split-lesion comparative technique trial. In each patient, two similar square test regions were randomized to either be treated with a fractional
Erbium: YAG 2940 nm
laser or with a Q-switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm
laser. Each patient was treated with three sessions at six-week intervals. At the follow-up, clearance of
hyperpigmentation was assessed by physician global assessment, visual analogue scale, grade of improvement, patient global assessment, and patient satisfaction. Regions treated with the fractional
Erbium: YAG 2940 nm
laser demonstrated significantly better improvement compared to ones treated with the Q-switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm (p-value = 0.001)
laser. Adverse effects such as repigmentation and hypertrophic
scarring were not reported during the follow-up period. The outcomes were cosmetically acceptable with overall high satisfaction among the included patients. Our data suggest a superior role for the fractional
Erbium: YAG (2940 nm)
laser in the treatment of BN
hyperpigmentation compared to the Q-switched Nd: YAG (1064 nm)
laser, along with being a safer method and having no reported side effects.