Ota Naevus Treatment

Ota naevus is an uncommon cause of facial pigmentation that is primarily seen in Asian women. Ota is a form of deep dermal pigmentation & is classified as a birthmark. As this is a medical condition, treatments are partially covered by Medicare. Pico lasers provide the best results.

Recovery

Variable

Results

4-12 weeks

Treatment Time

5-8 minutes

Aftercare

SPF

Treatment science score

The science of Ota Treatments

  • Ota naevus is commonly seen in Asian females
  • One side of the face is commonly affected by Ota
  • Pico lasers provide the best cure for Ota
  • Treatment takes 3 to 5 minutes to perform
  • Treatments are partially covered under Medicare
  • This form of pigmentation is unresponsive to creams

The picosecond laser cures Ota naevi twice as fast as older laser technology. Treatments are fast, comfortable & effective.

What is Ota?

Ota naevus or naevi are uncommon causes of facial pigmentation. Ota usually affects one side of the face, however can affect both sides. Involvement of the whites of the eye (sclerae) are common. 

Ota has a predisposition to Asian females. The pigmentation of Ota is deep dermal, hence it is unresponsive to chemical peels, superficial lasers & skin care ingredients. The best way to treat Ota is with a photoacoustic laser.

What is the best way to treat Ota naevus?

Pico lasers are the fastest, safest & most effective way to remove Ota pigment. They provide twice as fast clearance compared to older Q switch nano lasers. At The Melasma Clinic we employ both Picoway & Picosure Pro in our Brisbane & Sydney locations.

What results can I expect?

To date, pico lasers are the most effective laser for Ota naevus with a response rate of over 98%. It does however take multiple sessions to clear Ota naevus, regardless of the technology.Though results can be seen within one laser session, we advise a series of 5-12 sessions, spaced 12 weeks apart. 

For deeper pigmentation Ota naevus will require several additional sessions for removal. The earlier you treat Ota, the better the results. Ota at birth can be treated at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

ota birthmark treatment

What is the treatment like?

Treatments are comfortable & fast, taking less than 5 minutes to perform. We apply numbing cream prior to treatment & in some cases provide an anesthetic block.

What is the recovery following laser treatment?

Recovery depends on the settings we employ to treat Ota naevi.

  1. Slow & low. This setting takes treatment recovery into consideration, expect redness & swelling for 48 hours. You will require more pico laser sessions with this setting. 
  2. Fast & high. This clears Ota faster, but has a longer recovery time of 4-5 days. Post laser skin darkening may last weeks with this setting. We will discuss the settings with you prior to treatment.

What post laser care is required following Ota treatment?

The following skin care is required after the laser treatment – 

  • Stop all skin care actives. 
  • Use a bland cleanser twice daily. 
  • Add a bland moisturizer after cleansing.
  • Apply Vaseline to any broken skin for 5 days (twice daily)
  • Apply a thick layer of tinted sunscreen after 5 days. 
  • Do not get any sun exposure for 6 weeks after the laser.

ota birthmark treatment

What other types of pigmentation look like Ota naevus?

Diagnosis is imperative prior to treatment as there are many types of pigmentation. They all respond differently to lasers. Some forms of pigmentation such as melasma require adjunctive medical management. Conditions that look like Ota include-

Can creams fade Ota Naevi?

Pigment correctors have no effect on Ota naevus as the pigment is deep. Your dermatologist may recommend creams after laser as this may reduce pigment cells activation in the upper layers of skin. The ideal cream formulation will be determined by your clinician. 

A simple post laser formulation is azelaic acid, commenced 5 days after laser to be used nightly for 6 months.

Treatment type

Number of sessions

Recovery

Works in

Laser for melasma 4 sessions 0 days 80% of patients
Cosmelan or Dermamelan peels 1 session 7+ days 60% of patients

Will laser treatment cure Ota naevus?

Once cleared your Ota birthmark is unlikely to return (>90% cure), in less than 10% of cases top up treatments may be required every 2-4 years.

Are there any side effects of laser treatment?

Side effects are very rare with pico lasers. They include-

  • Prolonged skin darkening
  • Blistering of the skin
  • White spots (with higher settings) 

Skin darkening will only be confined to the area of Ota & not extend beyond the borders. To reduce the side effects of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, you MUST wear sunscreen for the duration of the treatment. PIH resolves within a few weeks to months. 

Hypopigmentation or white spots are exceedingly rare following treatment. They are seen with treatments conducted overseas. White spots following laser are harder to treat.

The Melasma Clinic treats all forms of pigmentation

Our specialist clinic is overseen by dermatologists who have extensive experience in the treatment of darker skin types, including management of Hori & Ota naevi. Our doctors have spent many years lecturing in Asian countries on the topic of pigmentary disorders. Combined with the very best in laser technology they deliver outstanding results in the shortest possible time.

Dr Davin Lim

645K subscribers

How to treat PIGMENTATION

If I can identify the cause of pigmentation, chances are I can treat it. This can only be achieved with careful real time examination…

More of our mostFrequently asked questions

How much does it cost to treat Ota Naevus?

How do lasers clear up pigment?

Will Picosure be effective for all cases of Ota nevus?

How do pico lasers compare to older pigment lasers?

What are the implications for Ota naevus?

Do we treat Ota birthmarks in babies or children?

Who performs the procedure?

A SummaryTreating Ota naevus

Dr Davin Lim | Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic, Brisbane | Sydney

Ota are commonly seen in Asian women. The most frequent distribution is unilateral, namely affecting one side of the face. Specific mutations have been detected within the pigment cells, most often GNAQ or GNA11

Unlike melasma pigmentation, Ota (like Hori) can be cleared & cured effectively. Ota can affect the eyes, hence an ophthalmology review is required when the diagnosis is confirmed. Effective treatment of Ota naevus involves focusing on reducing the appearance of pigmentation for aesthetic purposes.

Summary on Treating Ota Naevus

Lasers 

  • Pico lasers provide the best results with the least amount of side effects. 
  • Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser – this laser is the most commonly used and effective treatment for Ota naevus. It targets the melanin in the skin, breaking down the pigment particles. Multiple sessions are usually required, and treatments are spaced several weeks apart. It is outdated in first world countries, however it is frequently used in developing countries as it is cheaper than pico laser. Q-Switched Ruby Laser and Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser: These lasers also target melanin and are effective but may have different side effect profiles and efficacy levels compared to the Nd:YAG laser.
  • Fractional lasers such as Fraxel & CO2 lasers are NOT used to treat Ota naevi. 

Topical Treatments

Hydroquinone & retinoids are not effective for Ota, but can be considered to reduce PIH due to lasers & or treat melasma that may coexist with Ota (common)

Chemical Peels   

Glycolic acid peels & other novel peels are ineffective in the management of Ota. Pigment is too deep for removal with chemical peels.  

Surgical Excision

Surgical excision is not recommended due to the potential for significant scarring and the extensive nature of the pigmentation.

Considerations

Patient Selection: Treatment choice depends on the patient’s skin type, the extent and depth of the pigmentation, and individual preferences. Potential side effects of laser treatments include temporary swelling, redness, blistering, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

Proper post-treatment care is essential, including sun protection and avoiding trauma to the treated area to prevent complications.

Multiple Sessions: Most treatments require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results, and maintenance treatments may be necessary. The earlier you treat Ota, the better the results. 

Conclusion

Treating Ota nevus effectively typically involves the use of pico lasers. Careful patient selection and management of expectations, along with proper post-treatment care, are crucial for achieving the best possible outcomes. Be guided by your dermatologist.