Treatment Options for Becker’s Nevus and Nevus of Ota

Though usually harmless, Becker’s Nevus and Nevus of Ota can be very disheartening for many individuals, especially if they are located in highly visible locations such as the face. Fortunately, our skilled dermatologist, Dr. Paul M. Friedman offers a number of advanced laser treatments to reduce signs of these common conditions and renew the appearance of your skin.

Becker’s Nevus, which may be present at birth or develop around puberty, can be treated with a variety of state-of-the-art lasers, including the Q-switched Nd:YAG, Q-switched Alexandrite, long-pulsed Alexandrite, and non-ablative fractionated lasers. This broad range of options allows our dermatologists to fully customize the treatment plan to your needs and goals, which can optimize results. While none of these treatment modalities can eliminate the hyperpigmentation entirely, they can significantly reduce its visual prominence and any hair growth in the area. Dr. Friedman has been at the forefront of developing new treatment techniques for Becker’s Nevus conditions. In fact, he recently worked on a study of a combination therapy approach that treated the condition utilizing laser hair removal and non-ablative fractional laser modality. Dr. Friedman found very promising results from this new form of treatment among patients in the study, and co-authored an article detailing its findings in the April 2016 issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Dr. Friedman notes that more studies will be necessary to determine the optimal laser parameters for treatment; however, he is very encouraged at what the future may hold for these combination therapy techniques for Becker’s Nevus.

While Becker’s Nevus more commonly affects men, women are more susceptible to Nevus of Ota. Similar to Becker’s Nevus, this blue or grayish skin discoloration can occur at birth or later in life. During your initial consultation, we will review your medical history to determine whether the mark is acquired or congenital (a birthmark). The Q-switched Alexandrite and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are the most popular options for addressing these concerns. Fraxel DUAL and PicoWay may be other potential options, depending on your unique needs.

If you have additional questions about treatment for Becker’s Nevus, Nevus of Ota, or any other type of skin condition, please contact our office today. We will be happy to answer your questions, or assist you with scheduling a consultation here at Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center.