Early recurrence of eruptive vellus hair cysts after Er:YAG laser therapy: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Therapy of eruptive vellus hair cysts (EVHCs) often leads to unsatisfying results or recurrences. Recently, erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy has been recommended in this condition.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of Er:YAG laser treatment and discuss the treatment options in EVHC, presenting a review of the literature.

METHODS: Full-face Er:YAG laser therapy was performed in a 30-year-old female patient with a 15-year history of cosmetically bothersome facial EVHCs.

RESULTS: Immediately after the laser treatment, the ablated skin showed an even surface, presenting no residual signs of EVHCs. After reepithelialization, however, early recurrence of EVHCs occurred. Recurrence was also observed in the previously treated test spot, where slight atrophy indicated deeper ablation.

CONCLUSION: Er:YAG laser therapy might be a treatment option for distinct lesions of EVHCs but proved to be ineffective in a case of EVHCs in the face, where the depth of ablation is limited owing to the risk of atrophy or scarring and where deep enucleation of distinct single cysts was not possible owing to the dense dissemination of the lesions. Despite numerous treatment options reported in the literature, therapy for EVHCs is still challenging owing to recurrences or side effects.