Treatment of telangiectases and other benign vascular lesions with the 577 nm pulsed dye laser.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the 577 nm pulsed dye laser in the treatment of various vascular lesions of the face. Our purpose was to make observations on the effects of different variables that could affect response. Ninety-two adults with telangiectases of the face were sequentially selected for treatment according to a protocol previously established. Evaluation consisted of visual inspection by two investigators, and before and after photographs at 2-months intervals. A few patients with other vascular lesions were also treated and reported. Ninety-one percent of the patients (84 of 92) showed good to excellent response after a single treatment. Recurrence occurred in 2%. Atrophy of the skin occurred in 2%. Venous lakes, pyogenic granulomas, and mucosal vascular malformations showed significant improvement. The 577 nm pulsed dye laser is effective and safe for vascular lesions of the face.