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

Ultraviolet (UV) light may cause dermoscopic changes on melanocytic nevi (MN). To investigate the effects of sunscreen cream (SSc) application on dermoscopic changes in MN during narrowband UVB (NBUVB) therapy. 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. 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). Sunscreen in combination with opaque tape may contribute to some dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi, including decrease in size and loss of structure.