Cooling gel improves pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia

Background and Objective Pulsed KTP lasers effectively treat facial telangiectasia without purpura production. Transient side effects following treatment include erythema, edema, and vesiculation leading to crust formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of an aqueous gel in reducing side effects associated with pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia. Study Design/Materials and Methods Nineteen patients with extensive facial telangiectasias were treated with a pulsed KTP laser (Versapulse, Coherent, Palo Alto, CA). The laser was used with the water cooled handpiece chilled to 4°C, a 4 mm spot size, a 10‐millisecond pulse duration and a fluence of 9.5 J/cm2. One side of the face was treated with the laser using the cooling handpiece alone. The other side was treated using the cooling handpiece applied to a 2‐mm film of aqueous gel spread over the treatment area. Results Treatment side effects, including pain, erythema, edema, vesiculation, and crusting were scored following treatment with and without the aqueous gel. Use of the aqueous gel in conjunction with the cooling handpiece decreased the incidence and severity of pain, erythema, edema, and crusting following pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia. Most patients demonstrated 50–75% clearance of their telangiectasias 1 month after one treatment session, and use of the gel did not alter the treatment efficacy. Conclusions The application of an aqueous gel during pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia improves treatment associated side effects without affecting vessel clearance. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:149–153, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.