Faun Tail Nevus and Spinal Dysraphism: Cosmetic Improvement with Alexandrite Laser Epilation

Abstract

Faun-tail presents as an abnormal lumbosacral hypertrischosis and may be associated with spinal dysrasphism. In addition to the problems due to spinal anomalies, patient's physico-social life may also be affected. Here, we report a case of 13 years old female patient with Faun-tail in association with sypinal dysraphism, in which cosmetic improvement was achieved with the help of Alexandrite laser. Alexandrite laser can be the method of choice for permanent hair removal method due to its safe, effective and easy to apply properties.

Faun tail: a rare cutaneous sign of spinal dysraphism

“…Because laser provides effective, easy, and safe hair removal with permanent results, it has been widely used in recent years. The most common laser types used for hair removal are diode, ruby, Nd:Yag, and Alexandrite (12).…”

Diode laser in the management of faun tail nevi

“…Faun tail nevus is associated with spinal defects, most commonly spina bifida, intraspinal lipoma, dermal sinus, lipomeningomyeloceles, diastematomyelia, a tethered cord [4]. In our case, MRI revealed diastematomyelia, which is characterized by longitudinal splitting of the spinal cord into two parts.…”

“…To achieve a better cosmetic appearance, various types of lasers have been found useful, for instance, the alexandrite laser, the ruby laser, the diode laser, the Nd:YAG laser [4], and intense pulsed light (IPL) [6]. The principle underlying these therapies is the selective absorption of laser energy by the melanin pigment in the hair follicle, which leads to its thermal destruction.…”

Faun tail overlying spinal dysraphism (diastematomyelia) at the mid thoracic level: Cosmetic improvement achieved with diode laser epilation

“…To overcome the psychological problems, cosmetic treatment of the “faun tail” using lasers (ruby laser, alexandrite laser) had been carried out. [ 2 ] Electroepilation and intense pulsed light (IPL) epilation have been tried in lumbosacral hypertrichosis but not found to be superior to laser systems for hair removal. [ 3 ] Lasers with longer wavelengths like the diode, alexandrite and the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser are preferable in darker skin types as they cause less pain, epidermal injury and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation seen with lasers with shorter wavelengths.…”

“…The long-pulsed diode laser (800–810 nm) has been used extensively for LHR and is safe in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I–V. [ 2 4 ]…”