Laser Treatments Effective In Treating a Variety of Facial Lesions

A retrospective and single-center study showed that narrow band spectrum intense pulsed-light dye (NB-Dye-VL), Pulsed dye laser (PDL)–neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) dual-therapy, and either PDL or LP Nd:YAG were effective in treating facial vascular lesions (FVL).¹

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The study involved 14 participants aged ≥18 with facial lesions including rosacea, flat hemangiomas, telangiectasia, venous lake, hemangioma with a hypertrophic component, and spider hemangiomas.

Participant’s skin was first cooled with a cold air blast system of 600 L flow per second at −20°C (Cryo 6, Zimmer ElektroMedizin), eliminating the need for anesthesia. Skin lesions were treated with the selected therapy that was chosen based on location of the lesion, skin type, blood vessel diameter, lesion depth, participant age, and the immediate response of the skin lesions to the laser treatment.

Lesions were treated every 4±1 weeks depending on the outcome of the treatment and the patient, with the mean number of sessions 6.0±4.6. 

Patients were prescribed a regimen to follow after laser sessions, which included first applying hydrocortisone aceponate (0.127%) lipophilic cream, as a thin film to all the affected areas twice daily for 10 days and second a moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, Madecassoside; Copper–Zinc–Manganese; and hyaluronic acid (Cicaplast Gel B5, La Roche LA ROCHE-POSAY, Laboratoire Dermatologique) once daily for 7 days. Finally, participants were instructed to apply cream sunscreen (sun protection factor 50) twice daily for 7 days.

Researchers used a 6-point Likert scale to assess satisfaction of both the participant and the doctor with the treatment. The treatment outcomes were rated as excellent by 11 participants (78.6%) and as very good by 3 of the participants (21.4%). No severe or permanent adverse events occurred with any of the treatments.

Because of the small sample size and the number of facial lesions treated, study authors suggest that more research needs to be done to better assess the effectiveness of laser treatments and the combining of laser treatments. In addition, although the safety profile of laser treatments has been very good, caution should be taken to ensure proper skin cooling mechanisms and appropriate equipment settings, among other considerations.

Reference

1. Urdiales-Gálvez F, Castellano-Miralla A. Effectiveness and safety of a narrow band spectrum intense pulsed-light dye with long pulse Nd:YAG laser for treating facial vascular lesions. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22 Suppl 2:8-15. doi:10.1111/jocd.15772. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.15772