Laser treatment of congenital nevi

Congenital nevi are benign proliferations present at birth that consist of cells normally present in the skin. Many of these lesions are disfiguring and a source of psychosocial impairment. Because of location or extent of the lesion, surgical excision of the nevus may leave a defect without favorable reconstructive options. Laser ablation of such lesions has been used by several clinicians. A review of laser terminology is presented along with a review of nevus of Ota, nevus of Ito, café-au-lait macules, lentigines, and congenital melanocytic nevi. Although good results may be achieved with laser ablation of these lesions, laser treatment modalities for congenital melanocytic nevi remain controversial because of the potential for malignancy.