Treatment of Fordyce spots with CO2 laser.

Abstract

Fordyce spots are heterotopic sebaceous glands that can be located at the lips' vermilion or the oral mucosa. Although this is considered a rather common disorder, a treatment for this condition that sometimes affects patients from only a cosmetic viewpoint has not yet been described. To evaluate CO2 superpulsed laser treatment in two subjects with Fordyce spots. Two patients with papules and yellowish plaques at the upper lip corresponding to Fordyce spots were treated with coherent Ambulase CO2 superpulsed laser (Coherent Medical, Palo Alto, CA); after informed consent was obtained, two to three passes were performed in one session using 2 and 4 W and a spot size of 2 mm. Complete re-epithelization was observed 2 weeks later with no residual Fordyce papules in the treated area and no side effects. Our findings suggest that CO2 superpulsed laser can be considered a safe and effective treatment for patients with Fordyce spots, offering excellent cosmetic results.