A Comparison of Four Frequency-Doubled Nd:YAG (532 nm) Laser Systems for Treatment of Facial Telangiectases

Abstract

Telangiectases are cosmetically concerning for millions of individuals who develop them on the face as they mature. The causative factors are numerous. Lasers have recently become the focus for treating small facial telangiectases because of their ability to selectively target vessels. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of four different frequency-doubled neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (FD Nd:YAG) laser (532 nm) systems for the treatment of facial arteriolar telangiectases. Forty adult subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phenotypes I and II were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. Each group, consisting of 10 subjects, had telangiectases less than 1000 microm in diameter treated with one of four different FD Nd:YAG laser systems with a wavelength of 532 nm. Patients were treated once and clinical improvement and potential adverse effects were assessed at 1 and 8 weeks after treatment. All treated patients showed improvement after one laser session. No patients were seen to have scarring or pigmentary changes. There was no significant difference in the clinical response following treatment with each laser. The four different FD Nd:YAG lasers performed equally well in treating facial telangiectases. With a wavelength of 532 nm and pulse durations in the millisecond range, vessels can be selectively targeted with a minimal incidence of post-operative complications.