Nevus of Ota, which originally was described by Ota and Tanino in 1939, is due to an abnormal formation of skin pigment cells. Nevus of Ota presents as a blue or gray patch on the face, which is congenital or acquired and is usually around the cheek, eye or temple areas of the face.
The nevus can be unilateral or bilateral, and, in addition to skin, it may involve eye and surfaces in the mouth.
Treatment is often very sucessful using a pulsed quality switched laser of the right wavelength. (Nd-Yag, Alexandrite or Ruby ) The laser uses photothermal and photomechanical enargy to break up the abdnormal pigment cells and melanophages.
Treatment using the Medlight C6 (Pulsed QS Nd-Yag Laser)
1) The face is washed and topical anesthetic cream is applied for 40 minutes duration.
2) The laser treatment is carried out on the affected areas .
3) Pin point bleeding is noted imediatedly after and some redness is noted.
4) Face is cooled with an ice pack. Sun block is applied and sun avoidance is advised.
5) Lightening is noticed 4-6 weeks later and the next treatment is then carried out.
6) 6-8 treatments are normally needed to completely remove the nevus.
