The study focused on a cohort of 2,064 healthy Korean patients aged 15 to 59 years, all presenting with Fitzpatrick skin types III, IV, and V. The lesions treated were strictly limited to clinically benign melanocytic nevi that were evenly pigmented, flat or only slightly palpable, and measured less than 10 mm in diameter.
The study design isolates variables by focusing on a specific demographic with darker skin phototypes and low-risk, small pigmented lesions, ensuring a homogenous sample for analysis.
Patient Demographics
Population and Health Status
The study included a substantial sample size of 2,064 individuals. All participants were confirmed to be healthy, ensuring that underlying systemic health issues did not skew the results.
Age and Ethnicity
The age range of the patients spanned from 15 to 59 years. The cohort was exclusively Korean, providing specific data relevant to East Asian genetics and skin characteristics.
Skin Phototype Classification
Participants presented with Fitzpatrick skin types III, IV, and V. This range typically describes skin that tans easily and burns moderately to minimally, which is a critical factor when assessing laser-tissue interactions and pigmentary risks.
Lesion Characteristics
Clinical Diagnosis
The study exclusively examined clinically benign melanocytic nevi. These are common, non-cancerous moles, ensuring the safety of the cosmetic intervention being studied.
Physical Dimensions and Texture
To maintain consistency, lesion size was capped at 10 mm in diameter. Regarding texture, the nevi were required to be flat or just palpable, excluding significantly raised or verrucous lesions.
Pigmentation Profile
The nevi displayed even pigmentation, avoiding lesions with irregular borders or variegated colors that might suggest malignancy. The color spectrum ranged from light brown to dark brown.
Understanding the Scope and Limitations
Exclusion of Complex Lesions
By limiting the study to benign, evenly pigmented lesions under 10 mm, the authors excluded high-risk or complex cases. Consequently, the findings cannot be automatically applied to large, irregular, or suspicious moles that require histopathological evaluation.
Demographic Specificity
The focus on Fitzpatrick skin types III through V provides excellent data for these specific groups. However, the results may not directly translate to Fitzpatrick types I and II (very fair skin) or type VI (very dark skin), as these groups have different risks regarding scarring and hypopigmentation.
Assessing Applicability to Your Practice
Based on the inclusion criteria, you can determine how relevant these findings are to your specific clinical questions.
- If your primary focus is treatment safety in Asian populations: The large sample size of Korean patients with skin types III-V provides a robust safety baseline for this specific demographic.
- If your primary focus is treating complex or atypical moles: You should view these results with caution, as the study strictly excluded lesions larger than 10 mm or those with irregular pigmentation.
The strict standardization of patient and lesion characteristics ensures high internal validity but limits the external generalization to diverse skin types or complex dermatological conditions.
Summary Table:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Sample Size | 2,064 Healthy Patients |
| Age Range | 15 – 59 years |
| Skin Types | Fitzpatrick III, IV, and V |
| Lesion Type | Clinically benign melanocytic nevi |
| Lesion Size | < 10 mm in diameter |
| Lesion Profile | Evenly pigmented, flat or slightly palpable |
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