Changes in melanocytic nevi after treatment with intense pulsed light observed in total body mapping*

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a broadband visible light emitted from a non-coherent, filtered flashlamp. IPL sources emit light in the 500-1200 nm range and allow treatment of vascular and melanocytic lesions, and also hair removal. Different cutoff filters can be used to narrow the spectrum to target specific structures. 1 We report significant changes observed in two nevi after hair removal treatment with IPL. One of them underwent complete regression. A 35-year-old woman with multiple acquired melanocytic nevi was referred to our clinic for complete body evaluation using digital dermoscopy. The exam revealed some significant changes in two nevi located on her legs. Dermoscopy showed several blotches of brownish pigment without any pattern of a melanocytic lesion. Anamnesis revealed that the patient had undergone an IPL session to remove hair from her legs a few weeks earlier. The patient had not realized that the nevi had changed. We decided to observe and follow-up the patient. A new dermoscopy was conducted three months later. The nevus on the posterior side of her right leg showed smaller brownish spots on a reticulate pattern (Figure 1). Meanwhile, the nevus located on the lateral side of her right leg had disappeared (Figures 2 and 3). The brownish blotches seen in dermoscopy images of the two nevi of our patient correspond to microcrusts observed after IPL therapy. 2,3 Electron microscopy studies of the microcrusts formed 2 to 5 days after IPL sessions revealed multiple melanosomes and cellular debris. IPL therapy is reported to be effective for treating