Dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi covered with both opaque tape and sunscreen cream during narrowband ultraviolet B therapy

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) light may cause dermoscopic changes on melanocytic nevi (MN). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of sunscreen cream (SSc) application on dermoscopic changes in MN during narrowband UVB (NBUVB) therapy. METHODS: Half of the randomly selected MN in each patient were covered with opaque tape and SSc [SSc(+)], and the rest were covered with only opaque tape [SSc(−)] during NBUVB treatment sessions. RESULTS: More SSc(−) MN displayed dermoscopic changes at end of NBUVB therapy compared to the start of therapy (p=0.035). The number of the MN that decreased in size and showed loss of structure was significantly higher in SSc(−) MN (p=0.04 and p=0.026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Sunscreen in combination with opaque tape may contribute to some dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi, including decrease in size and loss of structure.