Potential of neodymium laser in treatment of extensive telangiectasias on the face

Abstract

Introduction: Telangiectasia is a persistent expansion of the superficial vessels of the skin. They do not cause subjective discomfort to patients. The purpose of the treatment of telangiectasia is to eliminate the cosmetic defect. Percutaneous laser coagulation is a modern method of treating telangiectasias.

Case report: A 50-year-old male patient underwent 2 sessions of laser obliteration of telangiectasias using an ND: YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, a pulse duration of 650 microseconds, a spot diameter of 2 mm, and an energy flux density of 127-223 J/cm². The initial number of telangiectasias in the patient according to the results of dermatoscopy was 151. The first session of laser obliteration was performed using an energy flux density of 127-191 J/cm². Dermatoscopy 1 month after obliteration revealed that the total number of telangiectasias decreased to 72. The second obliteration session 1 month after the first session was performed using an energy flux density of 159-223 J/cm². The result of dermatoscopy one month after the second procedure revealed that the total number of telangiectasias decreased to 31. The number of telangiectasias in the patient after 2 sessions of laser obliteration decreased by 79.47%. There were no complications during the entire treatment period.

Conclusion: ND: YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, a pulse duration of 650 microseconds using a working spot diameter of 2 mm and an energy flux density in the range of 127-223 J/cm2 showed a high efficiency and safety profile in the obliteration of telangiectasias in a patient with extensive facial lesions.

Keywords: Efficiency; Facial telangiectasia; ND:YAG laser; Pulse duration; Safety.