Continuous wave dye laser therapy of port wine stains.

A continuous wave dye laser emitting light at 577 nm has been used in the treatment of 100 patients with port wine stains. Subjective assessments in 92 patients revealed an excellent or good result in 63% and a fair result in 17%. There was a 5% incidence of hypertrophic scarring and a 5% incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Overall, 12% of patients experienced a poor result. The best results were obtained in older patients with purple port wine stains.