COMPARISON OF THE ARGON TUNABLE DYE-LASER WITH THE FLASHLAMP PULSED DYE-LASER IN TREATMENT OF FACIAL TELANGIECTASIA

BACKGROUND. A prospective, side-by-side comparison study of the argon tunable dye laser (ATDL) and the flashlamp pulsed dye laser (FPDL) for the treatment of solar-induced telangiectasia was carried out in 14 patients with symmetrical bilateral cheek telangiectasias. OBJECTIVE. The objective was to compare the efficacy of treatment by the two lasers. METHODS. Patients were treated and examined at weeks 2, 4, and 6. Evaluation was done by direct observation and questionnaire, as well as by photographic slides projected to an impartial panel. RESULTS. Final evaluation at week 6 showed 11 of 14 patients with excellent results at sites treated with the FPDL, compared with four of 14 with the ATDL. However, only six of 13 patients preferred the FPDL, due to the purpura and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION. We conclude that the objective final results favor the FPDL over the ATDL for treatment of facial telangiectasia, but that the ATDL is still an important option for patient acceptance.