Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser in the treatment of facial and leg telangiectasias

BACKGROUND: Facial and leg telangiectasias are a frequent cosmetic concern for both females and males with various skin types and ages. To date the different treatments for these problems, in particular leg telangiectasias, have frequently failed or led to negative side-effects. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the clinical effects and safety of applications with a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser system (SmartEpil II, DEKA M.e.l.a., Florence, Italy) to treat vessels on the face and legs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five subjects with facial telangiectasias underwent one treatment at 100 J/cm2, 10 ms and 2 Hz repetition rate. Thirty-two subjects with leg telangiectasias, measuring 0.1-3 mm in diameter, were treated at 125-200 J/cm2, 10-30 ms and 2 Hz repetition rate. Subjects in this group underwent one to five treatment sessions at 8 week intervals. RESULTS: All subjects showed visible improvement, with 95-100% clearing of the face telangiectasias after only one treatment, and 50-100% clearing of the lower extremity vessels after three to five treatments. Transitory hypopigmentation was seen in two cases subjected to leg vessel treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of facial and leg telangectasias using a true long pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is an effective and safe method. The relative lack of discomfort combined with a high degree of individual satisfaction should play a part in the fairly high level of acceptance of this new form of therapy for the treatment of leg and face telangiectasias.