ARGON-PUMPED TUNABLE DYE-LASER

The argon-pumped tunable dye laser (APTDL) is useful in the treatment of a wide variety of superficial vascular and melanocytic lesions. Safety is enhanced by the use of a computerized scanning device-the Hexascan. Over a 1-year period, 140 patients (33 patients under the age of 21, and 21 patients from 0 to 10 years of age) were treated. Facial rosacea/telangiectasia was the most frequently treated lesion, followed by port-wine stain. Although multiple treatments were often necessary, fading was successfully achieved in most patients without scarring or other complications.