The new-generation, high-energy, 595 nm, long pulse-duration, pulsed-dye laser effectively removes spider veins of the lower extremity

✍ Scribed by Eric F. Bernstein

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 196 KB
• Volume: 39
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.20413

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Lower‐extremity spider veins are a cosmetic problem that poses formidable clinical difficulty for laser removal. They are significantly harder to remove than facial telangiectasias. A new‐generation, pulsed‐dye laser (PDL), capable of administering pulses that clinically behave like true 40‐millisecond pulses has been developed, by doubling the number of sub‐pulses comprising each laser pulse.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Fifteen subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III were enrolled in the study and treated to 35 sites. Subjects were treated three times at 6‐week intervals using an average fluence of 20.4 J/cm^2^, a 3×10 mm spot, and a dynamic cooling device to protect the epidermis. Digital photographs were taken before initiating treatment and 8 weeks following the final treatment.

Results

Mean improvement scores using a 4‐point scale as rated subjectively by the treating physician were 0.92 (<25%), 2.7 (∼40–50%), and 3.6 (∼65–75%), 6 weeks following 1st and 2nd treatments and 8 weeks following the 3rd and final treatment, respectively. Improvement was also determined by three physicians, rating digital photographs and blinded as to which photographs were pre‐ or post‐treatment. They rated improvement as mild (0–25%) in 10.5% of photographs, moderate (26–50%) in15.2%, marked (51–75%) in 38.1%, and excellent (76–100%) in 6.3%. There was no textural change in any treatment site.

Conclusions

The new‐generation, high‐energy, 595 nm, long pulse‐duration, PDL effectively removes lower‐extremity spider veins in subjects with skin types I–III. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:218–224, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.