Treatment of spider veins using a 10 millisecond pulse-duration frequency-doubled neodymium YAG laser.
BACKGROUND
The pulsed dye laser has been the standard for treating vascular lesions. Although quite effective for treating facial vessels and port-wine stains, spider veins of the lower extremities are more difficult to treat. Recent studies have shown that lasers with longer pulse durations are more effective at treating spider veins. A new long-pulse frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser has been developed with a 10-ms pulse duration and sufficient energy to enable treatment with a 3- or 4-mm diameter treatment beam.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of the long pulse Neodymium:YAG laser for treating spider veins of the lower extremities.


METHODS
Spider veins less than 0.75 mm in diameter on the legs of 15 female volunteers were treated in 1 or 2 areas. Treatments were administered through a water-cooled chill tip using the frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser with a 10-ms pulse duration. A dose of 16 J/cm2 was administered, completing 3 passes over each visible vein during each session, for a total of 2 sessions administered 6 weeks apart. Photographs of treatment areas were digitally analyzed for degree of vessel clearance.


RESULTS
Computer-based image analysis revealed clearing of over 75% of veins following 2 treatments with 16 J/cm2. Side effects were minimal, and the treatments were well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
The 532 nm, 10 ms pulse duration, frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser is safe and effective for treating spider veins of the lower extremities less than 0.75 mm in diameter, in patients with Fitzpatrick skin Types I-III.
Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Centers, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, USA.
E F
EF
Bernstein
S
S
Kornbluth
D B
DB
Brown
J
J
Black
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D007834:Lasers; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D009354:Neodymium; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009354:Neodymium