Treatment of spider veins using a 10 millisecond pulse-duration frequency-doubled neodymium YAG laser

BACKGROUND. The pulsed dye laser has been the standard for treating vascula r lesions. Although quite effective for treating facial vessels and port-wi ne stains, spider veins of the lower extremities are more difficult to trea t. Recent studies have shown that lasers with longer pulse durations are mo re effective at treating spider veins. A new long-pulse frequency-doubled N eodymium:YAG laser has been developed with a 10-ms pulse duration and suffi cient energy to enable treatment with a 3- or 4-mm diameter treatment beam. OBJECTIVE. TO determine the effectiveness of the long pulse Neodymium:YAG l aser for treating spider veins of the lower extremities. METHODS. Spider veins less than 0.75 mm in diameter on the legs of 15 femal e volunteers were treated in 1 or 2 areas. Treatments were administered thr ough a water-cooled chill tip using the frequency-doubled Neodymium:YAG las er with a 10-ms pulse duration. A dose of 16 J/cm(2) was administered, comp leting 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. RESULTS. Computer-based image analysis revealed clearing of over 75% of vei ns following 2 treatments with 16 J/cm2. Side effects were minimal, and the treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS. The 532 nm, 10 ms pulse duration, frequency-doubled Neodymium: YAG laser is safe and effective for treating spider veins of the lower extr emities less than 0.75 mm in diameter, in patients with Fitzpatrick skin Ty pes I-m.