Abstract:

Background.

The scarring follicular disorders pose challenging therapeutic dilemmas. Objective.

Hair removal lasers have recently been shown to be efficacious in the management of these disorders. Methods.

We present a young, Fitzpatrick skin type VI African-American patient with recalcitrant folliculitis decalvans, whom we treated with the neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Results.

A remission of folliculitis decalvans was successfully achieved using the Nd:YAG for laser depilation. Conclusion.

Based on the optical properties of light in skin, the Nd:YAG laser is the best for laser depilation in dark individuals.

ERIC C. PARLETTE, MD, NATHAN KROEGER, AND E. VICTOR ROSS, MD HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30344.x

Affiliations: 1: LT MC USNR, Third Year Resident, 2: Dermatology Technician, and 3: CAPT MC USN, Residency Director, Dermatology Department, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California