Facial teleangectasias: our experience in treatment with IPL

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facial teleangectasias can be a relevant cosmetic problem, which the patient usually hides with a thick layer of makeup. This study will describe the response on these vascular lesions using the intense pulsed light (IPL) source. METHODS: Five hundred eighteen consecutive patients were treated with Photoderm VL (Lumenis Ltd.). The average age of patients of various skin types (Fitzpatrick I to IV) was 48.5 years. They were subjected to a mean of 1.69 treatments (range 1-9) followed up 48 hours, 72 hours, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 1 month after each treatment. All patients were followed up after 2 months from the last treatment and the percentage of clearance was assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs. The patients also answered a questionnaire in which they expressed personal satisfaction. The physicians evaluation was also recorded on the same form. RESULTS: Patients (87.64%) presented a clearance of 75%-100%. The results appear not correlated with lesions size, age, skin type but with operator experience. Minimal side adverse effects occurred in 20% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The IPL source, Photoderm VL, can be considered an alternative or a supplement to the existing laser devices for facial teleangectasias treatment.