Treatment of Spider Veins Using a 10 Millisecond Pulse-Duration Frequency-Doubled Neodymium YAG Laser

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Treatment of Spider Veins Using a 10 Millisecond Pulse-Duration Frequency-Doubled Neodymium YAG Laser
April 1999
To cite this article: Eric F. Bernstein MD, Steven Kornbluth MD, Douglas B. Brown MS, John Black PhD (1999)
Treatment of Spider Veins Using a 10 Millisecond Pulse-Duration Frequency-Doubled Neodymium YAG Laser
Dermatologic Surgery 25 (4), 316Ņ320.
doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.08253.x
Blackwell Synergy

Eric F. Bernstein, MD,*
*Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Centers, Marlton, New Jersey Steven Kornbluth, MD,Department of Dermatology
and Cutaneous Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Douglas B. Brown, MS,Department of Dermatology
and Cutaneous Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and John Black, PhDCoherent Medical Group, Santa Clara, California

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Eric F. Bernstein, MD, Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Centers, 504 Lippincott Drive, Marlton, NJ 08053.

Abstract
BackgroundThe pulsed dye laser has been the standard for treating vascular lesions. Although quite effective for treating facial vessels and port-wine stains, spider veins of the lower extremities are more difficult to treat. Recent studies have shown that lasers with longer pulse durations are more effective at treating spider veins. A new long-pulse frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser has been developed with a 10-ms pulse duration and sufficient energy to enable treatment with a 3- or 4-mm diameter treatment beam.

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of the long pulse Neodymium:YAG laser for treating spider veins of the lower extremities.

methods. Spider veins less than 0.75 mm in diameter on the legs of 15 female volunteers were treated in 1 or 2 areas. Treatments were administered through a water-cooled chill tip using the frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser with a 10-ms pulse duration. A dose of 16 J/cm2 was administered, completing 3 passes over each visible vein during each session, for a total of 2 sessions administered 6 weeks apart. Photographs of treatment areas were digitally analyzed for degree of vessel clearance.

ResultsComputer-based image analysis revealed clearing of over 75% of veins following 2 treatments with 16 J/cm2. Side effects were minimal, and the treatments were well tolerated.

ConclusionsThe 532 nm, 10 ms pulse duration, frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG laser is safe and effective for treating spider veins of the lower extremities less than 0.75 mm in diameter, in patients with Fitzpatrick skin Types IŅIII.

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