background. Although laser resurfacing is a well-accepted treatment, tolerance problems may preclude patient's acceptance of the procedure. Post-laser protracted erythema is a prime problem, associated with the symptoms of pain, itching, stinging and tightening. objective. The present study was conducted to evaluate a low-salt medical spring water (Avène, Avène-les-Bains, France), in conjunction with the standard use of an emollient, to improve tolerance by hydrating the postlaser skin. methods. A controlled, randomized, open-labeled, multicentric and two parallel group study was completed after 84 days in 74 patients, 34 applying a petrolatum ointment alone (control group), and 40 applying petrolatum ointment in association with the Avène spring water spray ad libitum (water group). results. The water spray showed a pronounced effect on reducing erythema, from the second week of postlaser onwards, with a statistically significant difference in favor of the water group compared with the control group ( p Յ 0.04 from day 14 to day 84, except a non-significant trend on day 28). In addition, the water spray was found to significantly reduce itching on day 28 ( p Ͻ 0.05), and stinging and tightening on day 14 and day 21 ( p Ͻ 0.05). Pain was not modified by the water. conclusion. Topical water appears to be a helpful adjunctive treatment to petrolatum ointment for counteracting erythema, itching, stinging and tightening during the postlaser treatment period. CommentaryThis is an interesting paper because erythema is a major postoperative problem for many laser patients. The conclusion that water has a beneficial effect on laser healing is important. However, it is difficult to draw statistical conclusions from 74 patients from seven different centers. Plain tap water may or may not provide the same benefit as the spring water spray studied here. Never-theless, the notion that topical water is a helpful adjunct to petrolatum ointment for counteracting erythema, itching, stinging, and tightening during the post-laser period is clinically relevant.

Topical water appears to be a helpful adjunctive treatment to petrolatum ointment for counteracting erythema, itching, stinging and tightening during the postlaser treatment period.

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Abstract:One of the most widely used cutaneous applications of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (laser) concerns the treatment of vascular lesions. During the past two decades, very significant advances in the application of laser technology in dermatology have occurred, with selective photothermolysis being the most important. This review focuses on the application of modern laser devices (Pulsed Dye Laser, or PDL; potassium titanyl phosphate laser, or KTP; diode laser; and neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser, or Nd:YAG), as well as the combination of laser and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of vascular lesions. In lar, both congenital (haemangiomas and port-wine stains) and acquired vascular lesions (facial and leg telangiectasias, rosacea, Poikiloderma of Civatte, spider angioma, pyogenic granuloma, and venous lakes) are discussed. The review of many recent research studies demonstrates that modern applications of lasers in dermatology constitute the finest method for the treatment of vascular lesions, combining the advantages of invasive therapy with the security offered by non-invasive therapy, while in certain cases they are the single and only choice for the treatment of these lesions.Keywords: Va scular lesions; laser; PDL; Nd:YAG; PDT Citation: Tzermias C, Eleftheriadi A, Gkiouzepaki I. Management of vascular lesions using advanced laser technology.