Cutaneous vascular ectasia treated by non-laser infra-red

Abstract

The use of lasers to treat abnormal vasculature of the skin is proliferating. However there is now considerable evidence that, despite its theoretical advantages, the argon laser causes a rather non-specific thermal burn: the CO2 laser, which vaporizes tissue on contact, has produced satisfactory results in treating port wine stains. This casts doubt on whether laser radiation or specific wavelengths are essential for the results being obtained. The MBB-AT infra-red coagulator is a cheap portable machine which produces non-specific thermal damage. It has a maximal output at 960 nm. We have previously shown that the cosmetic results of treating tattoos in this way compares favourably with other methods. We have now investigated histologically the relationship between the duration of each pulse of infra-red and the depth of injury in pig skin using stains for viable collagen. Between 0.625 s and 1.125 s the relationship was linear. Thus, the coagulator gives a predictable and repeatable injury, and this property has been utilized in man. Using pulses just shorter than those which cause collagen damage we have had most encouraging results in the treatment of vascular ectasia including port wine stains in 10 patients.