Successful treatment of facial telangiectasias using a micropulse 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a microsecond 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the treatment of facial telangiectasias.
METHODS: Subjects ages 35-70 with Fitzpatrick skin types I to III and facial telangiectasias underwent two treatments with a micropulse (0.65 ms) 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser. Treatments were spaced 30 days apart, with a final evaluation 60 days after the second treatment. Evaluation included digital photography and an assessment of the degree of improvement on a scale from 1 to 5 by the subject and a nontreating investigator.
RESULTS: Twenty subjects (18 women, two men) with Fitzpatrick skin type II and III completed the study. The nontreating investigator rated the objective clinical response as total clearance (100% clear) in 10% (n = 2) of subjects, significant clearance (≥50% clear) in 75% (n = 15), and some clearance (0-49% clear) in 15% (n = 3). None of the subjects was rated as having no clearance or worsening. In terms of subjective clearance reported by subjects, 80% (n = 16) reported significant clearance, with the remainder reporting some clearance. No adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSION: The micropulse 1,064-nm Nd:YAG successfully treated facial telangiectasias with a high degree of patient satisfaction, minimal discomfort, and no adverse events.