title: Topical anesthetics for cosmetic dermatologic procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study is to value the vasoconstrictor effect of two most utilized topical anesthetics, the first one containing a mixture 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine and the second one containing 4% liposomal lidocaine, in the treatment of vascular lesion during cosmetic dermatologic procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy volunteers were enrolled in our department. They showed telangiectasias, measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter on their face and limbs. Five volunteers were randomized to receive topical 4% liposomal lidocaine and five to receive 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine. In all treated areas, the 4% liposomal lidocaine was left for at least 30 minutes and the 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine was left for at least 60 minutes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinically, the volunteers who received the 4% liposomal lidocaine showed minimal vasoconstrictor difference between before and after treatment; while the others who received the 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine showed a major vasoconstrictor effect. Furthermore the 4% liposomal lidocaine cream has the advantage of an anesthetic effect after 30 minutes, rather than 60 minutes for the 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine cream.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that the 4% liposomal lidocaine has relatively minor vasoconstrictor effect when compared to the other anesthetic, and it shows how this type of anesthetic allows a clear vision of the lesion during the dermatologic procedures. Furthermore, this cream achieves an anesthetic effect in 30 minutes rather than the 60 minutes required for the other cream, making the first one more suitable for cosmetic dermatologic procedures and for the emergency.
authors.affiliation: Istituto San Gallicano, UOSD Prevenzione e Promozione della Salute in DermatologiaIFO, Rome, Italy - annacarbone.derma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marciani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piemonte
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frascione
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D046169:Dermoscopy; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008081:Liposomes; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine