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The dangers of non-medical laser therapy for pigmented lesions

Harini Rajgopal Bala, Yan Pan and Rosemary L Nixon
Med J Aust 2017; 206 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja16.01156
Published online: 20 March 2017

We present a case that illustrates the need for careful medical evaluation of pigmented lesions, and the potential risks associated with laser treatment by non-medical providers.


  • 1 Skin and Cancer Foundation Inc, Melbourne, VIC
  • 2 Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC


Correspondence: y.pan@alfred.org.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

  • 1. Larsen T, Nielsen M, Lindskov R, et al. Metastases from malignant melanoma after laser treatment of undiagnosed pigmented skin lesions. Lasers Med Sci 2013; 28: 1403-1404.
  • 2. Delker S, Livingstone E, Schimming T, et al. Melanoma diagnosed in lesions previously treated by laser therapy. J Dermatol 2016; 44: 23-28.
  • 3. Zipser MC, Mangana J, Oberholzer PA, et al. Melanoma after laser therapy of pigmented lesions — circumstances and outcome. Eur J Dermatol 2010; 20: 334-338.
  • 4. Gottschaller C, Hohenleutner U, Landthaler M. Metastasis of a malignant melanoma 2 years after carbon dioxide laser treatment of a pigmented lesion: case report and review of the literature. Acta Derm Venereol 2006; 86: 44-47.

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