532-nm Nd:YAG and 595-nm pulsed dye laser treatment of leg telangiectasia using ultralong pulse duration.

BACKGROUND

Telangiectatic leg veins have been treated using lasers with variable success.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the efficacy and tolerability of a 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) and a 532-nm Nd:YAG laser using ultralong pulse duration to improve leg telangiectasias with a single treatment.

METHODS

Ten subjects with leg telangiectasias up to 1.0 mm in diameter participated in the study. The telangiectatic patch was divided into two approximately equal adjacent areas. The first area was treated with a 532-nm Nd:YAG laser at a fluence of 20 J/cm2 and a pulse duration of 50 ms using a contact cooling device. The second area was treated with a 595-nm PDL at a fluence of 25 J/cm2 and a pulse duration of 40 ms using cryogen spray precooling. Each area was treated once only. Photographic evaluation was used for an assessment of response.

RESULTS

Two of 10 subjects had less than 25%, 3 had 25% to 50%, 2 had 50% to 75%, and 3 had more than 75% improvement after single treatment with a 532-nm Nd:YAG laser. Similarly, 2 of 10 subjects had less than 25%, 2 had 25% to 50%, and 6 had 50% to 75% improvement with the 595-nm PDL. Hyperpigmentation occurred in one subject treated with the 532-nm Nd:YAG laser and two subjects treated with the 595-nm PDL. No blistering, crusting, hypopigmentation, or scarring were observed.

CONCLUSION

Both lasers using ultralong pulse width improved leg telangiectasias after a single treatment with minimal adverse reactions.