title: Treatment of venous infraorbital dark circles using a long-pulsed 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infraorbital dark circles are a common cosmetic problem with multiple causative factors and few studies into the different treatment options.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness and safety of long-pulsed 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy for infraorbital dark circles caused by visible prominent veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients with venous infraorbital dark circles were treated with a Nd:YAG laser (fluence, 130-140 J/cm(2) ; spot size, 6 mm) in double-pulse mode (pulse width, 6-10 ms; interpulse interval, 20 ms). Patients were examined 12 months after the final treatment. Results were ranked in five categories based on percentage clearance (5 = 100%, 4 = 75-99%, 3 = 50-74%, 2 = 25-49%, 1 ≤ 25% clearance). Patient satisfaction was ranked on a scale of 1 to 3 (1 = minimal improvement; 3 = completely satisfied), and pain was ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = mild pain; 10 = severe pain).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patients completed the study. Objective improvement scores were 5 in all patients, and all patient satisfaction scores were 3. All patients tolerated the moderate pain (mean score 3.6). Transient erythema was observed in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-pulsed 1,064-nm Nd:YAG-laser treatment appears effective and safe for the treatment of venous infraorbital dark circles and selectively removes visible prominent veins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiao-Xi
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiao-Jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yun-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005143:Eyelids / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055815:Young Adult; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: C503779:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; D015019:Yttrium; D000535:Aluminum