Long pulse 532-nm laser treatment of facial telangiectasia

BACKGROUND. Facial telangiectasias are a frequently observed cosmetic concern. Current therapeutic modalities have certain side effects and limitations. We treated a group of patients with facial telangiectasias with a new variable pulse width frequency-doubled neodymium:YAG laser at 532 nm. OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated the clinical response and side effects during the treatment of facial telangiectasias in 40 patients. METHODS. Forty patients with facial telangiectasias were treated with the VersaPulse laser. Fluences of between 9.5 and 12.0 J/cm(2) at 3 or 4-mm spot size were used. A sapphire water-cooled chill tip was used to cool the cutaneous surface during treatment. RESULTS. Ninety percent of patients experienced between 75% and 100% clearance of their facial telangiectasias after single treatment. No significant side effects or complications were noted. CONCLUSION. The VersaPulse variable pulse width neodymium:YAG laser appears to be an effective treatment modality for facial telangiectasia. (C) 1998 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.