Efficacy and cosmetic results of contact gel cooling of the skin during non-ablative laser procedures.

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic laser treatments of the skin result in collateral thermal damage to the adjacent tissue if it is not cooled. A recently developed gel cooling pad is designed to be applied to the treated area and then penetrated by the laser beam during treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

97 treatments of 61 patients were documented.Vascular malformations (telangiectasia, hemangioma, spider nevi, nevi flammei, scars) were treated 52 times with the LBO laser Idas (532 nm). With the alexandrite laser Arion (755 nm), 13 treatments for hypertrichosis were evaluated. Pigmentation disorders (tattoos,lentigines,segmented melanocytic hyperpla-sia, nevus of Ota) were treated 32 times with the ruby laser Sinon (694 nm). Additionally, we measured the energy of the laser systems through a glass plate with and without the hydrogel pad. Furthermore, we examined patient satisfaction as well as noting application experiences of the treating doctors.

RESULTS

Our examinations showed a negligible loss of energy in clinical use, with good patient satisfaction and good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the hydrogel pad is recommended during non-ablative cosmetic laser treatments of the skin.It is especially convenient for the treatment of vascular malformations of the face.