Beckers Naevus

Hi guys, please don't get stumped by the slightly confusing title.

Beckers Naevus is neither a name nor a brand. Ironically, this pretty name defines a relatively common skin pigmentation amongst mankind.


I figured a skin topic would rock the boat a little, especially that I had one such patient at the clinic today.

Becker naevus's is a superficial birthmark occurring mostly in males.  It is due to an overgrowth of the epidermis, pigment cells and hair follicles. It develops during childhood or adolescence on the shoulders or upper trunk, occasionally elsewhere. It is thought that it is due to a gene defect, which has not yet been identified. It may be triggered to develop by circulating androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), which is why it appears in males at puberty.

 

Usually a Becker’s naevus is too large to be surgically removed. Different laser systems have been used to treat both the colour and the hair. Overall the excess hair responds better to laser treatment than the colour.

If there is acne or eczema within the Becker’s naevus, treatment of these skin conditions can be helpful.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for a Becker’s naevus. It will not go away on its own.

For such pigmented naevi, birthmarks and sun spots the Q-switched Alexandrite and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are ideal treatment tools. The Q-switched lasers target darkly pigmented tissue, whether this is due to melanin or dye, and leaves lighter tissues unaffected.  The result is to fade pigment in the treated area, and even if an area requires multiple treatments for full effect, each treatment will show significant improvement.

For more info & videos on birthmark or naevus removals, click here

dr aarthi