Treatment of spider veins with the 595 nm pulsed-dye laser

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Nov;39(5 Pt 1):746-50. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70047-7.

Abstract

Background: Previous attempts to treat spider veins with the conventional 585 nm pulsed-dye laser with a 0.5-ms pulse duration have been relatively ineffective. Recently, a new pulsed-dye laser that is tunable from 585 to 600 nm with a pulse duration 3 times longer than previously available lasers has preliminarily been shown to be effective for treatment of spider veins.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of multiple treatments with the tunable long-pulse dye laser in treatment of spider veins of the lower extremity.

Methods: Ten female volunteers were treated in two separate areas containing blue or red linear spider veins less than 1.5 mm in diameter. Treatments were administered with the pulsed-dye laser with a 1.5-ms pulse duration and 595-nm light at fluences of 15 and 20 J/cm2, and each subject received a total of 3 treatments at each site, administered at 6-week intervals. Photographs were taken before and 6 weeks after the last treatment.

Results: Computer-based image analysis showed clearing of more than three fourths of veins after 3 treatments with 15 or 20 J/cm2. Side effects were minimal and the treatments were well tolerated.

Conclusion: The 595 nm, 1.5 ms pulse duration, pulsed-dye laser is safe and effective for treating blue or red spider veins of the lower extremities less than 1.5 mm in diameter in nontanned patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I and II. Multiple treatments improve on the results obtained after a single treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Edema / etiology
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / etiology
  • Hypopigmentation / etiology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Laser Coagulation / adverse effects
  • Laser Coagulation / methods*
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology
  • Purpura / etiology
  • Safety
  • Telangiectasis / pathology
  • Telangiectasis / surgery*
  • Time Factors
  • Veins / pathology