title: Efficacy and cosmetic results of contact gel cooling of the skin during non-ablative laser procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aesthetic laser treatments of the skin result in collateral thermal damage to the adjacent tissue if it is not cooled. A recently developed gel cooling pad is designed to be applied to the treated area and then penetrated by the laser beam during treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  97 treatments of 61 patients were documented.Vascular malformations (telangiectasia, hemangioma, spider nevi, nevi flammei, scars) were treated 52 times with the LBO laser Idas (532 nm). With the alexandrite laser Arion (755 nm), 13 treatments for hypertrichosis were evaluated. Pigmentation disorders (tattoos,lentigines,segmented melanocytic hyperpla-sia, nevus of Ota) were treated 32 times with the ruby laser Sinon (694 nm). Additionally, we measured the energy of the laser systems through a glass plate with and without the hydrogel pad. Furthermore, we examined patient satisfaction as well as noting application experiences of the treating doctors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our examinations showed a negligible loss of energy in clinical use, with good patient satisfaction and good cosmetic results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the hydrogel pad is recommended during non-ablative cosmetic laser treatments of the skin.It is especially convenient for the treatment of vascular malformations of the face.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology at the University Hospital of Leipzig and University of Leipzig Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc Oliver
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bodendorf
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grunewald
authors.forename: Jan Christoph
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Paasch
mesh_terms: D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels