The pulsed dye laser for cutaneous vascular and nonvascular lesions

Abstract

The pulsed dye laser was originally developed for the treatment of vascular lesions, especially hemangiomas and port-wine stains. The central concept of pulsed-dye laser is to preserving the epidermis by allowing hemoglobin to be more precisely targeted within lesions. More recently, the pulsed dye laser has also been used in the treatment of a wide spectrum of nonvascular lesions. Because of its safety profile, and its selectivity in targeting lesions, therapists can comfortably treat a wide variety of lesions in all age groups and anatomic sites.

Comparative Efficacy of Nonpurpuragenic Pulsed Dye Laser and Intense Pulsed Light for Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

“…Laser and light‐based devices have been successfully used in the treatment of erythema and telangiectasias associated with rosacea 5,6 . Pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) have been used to treat vascular lesions for the last 20 years 7 . Early clinically effective PDLs employed wavelengths in the 585‐ to 595‐nm range and pulse durations of 0.45 to 1.5 ms 8,9 .…”

“…5,6 Pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) have been used to treat vascular lesions for the last 20 years. 7 Early clinically effective PDLs employed wavelengths in the 585-to 595-nm range and pulse durations of 0.45 to 1.5 ms. 8,9 Although these laser systems proved to be highly effective, patients frequently did not tolerate the purpura associated with treatment. Newer modifications have achieved longer pulse durations and allow use of higher fluences by incorporating cooling devices to provide epidermal protection.…”

Treatment of Superficial Cutaneous Vascular Lesions: Experience with the Long-Pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG Laser

“…Various centres are also using the Nd:YAG laser for cutaneous vascular lesions using the high wavelength penetrance to also control deeper vessels [7, 23, 24]. Clark et al [10] reported the use of the Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of superficial cutaneous vascular lesions.…”

“…The most commonly used laser devices for these treatments include the 532 nm potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), 595 nm pulsed dye laser (PDL), the 755 nm alexandrite laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), and the 1064-nm neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Nd:YAG) [3–7]. Their mechanism of action is based on the theory of selective photothermolysis [8].…”

Laser Treatment of Superficial Leg Veins: A Review

“…For leg vessels up to 1 mm in diameter, a fluence of 20 J/cm 2 showed significantly more effectiveness than 18 or 16 J/cm 2 20 . A combination approach using sclerotherapy for the larger‐caliber vessels and PDL on the smaller vessels has also been effective 22 . Common side effects after PDL therapy include purpura and hyperpigmentation.…”