BECKER'S NEVUS


Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and surrounding areas.



General Information:

  • A Becker’s Nevus is also known by the names: "Becker's melanosis," "Becker's pigmentary hamartoma," "Nevoid melanosis," and "Pigmented hairy epidermal nevus"
  • Usually affects 1 in 200 young men, and is sometimes seen in young women.
  • Usually appears around the age of 12 to 14 and is usually located on a shoulder, the side of the chest or the upper back
  • Sometimes may consist of a flat brown patch anywhere from 5 cm to 25 cm in diameter and usually increases slowly in size.
  • A Becker’s Nevus often has an increased number of dark hairs in it, compared with the surrounding skin.
  • The cause is unknown, but 25% of cases are triggered by a sunburn.
  • A Becker’s Nevus is benign – not malignant or cancerous. It is extremely rare for skin cancer to develop within a Becker’s nevus, but it is still important to notify your doctor of any changes in size, shape or colour of the lesion.


Treatment:

  • As Becker's nevus is considered a benign lesion, treatment is generally not necessary except for cosmetic purposes.
  • Shaving or trimming can be effective in removing unwanted hair.
  • Laser hair removal may offer a longer-lasting solution.
  • Laser hair removal is very effective to remove and reduce the hair within the lesion.
  • A different laser is required to remove the brown skin discoloration.
  • The brown discolouration is much more difficult to remove, and frequently recurs after laser treatment.

    If you are interested in laser hair removal please click here, or contact us book a free consultation with one of the technicians in the office.