INTRODUCTION
Telangiectasias are small blood vessels, typically measuring 0.1 to 1.0 mm in diameter, which may be of venular, capillary, or arteriolar origin.1,2 Telangiectasias develop secondary to a variety of factors including genetic predisposition, gravity, pregnancy, and trauma1. Commonly referred to as spider veins, telangiectasias can manifest in the lower extremities as well as the face, neck, and trunk.3 These small vessels are largely considered a cosmetic concern, with 92% of adults displaying mild or limited lesions.4
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is one of a number of modalities used for the treatment of these superficial cutaneous vascular lesions.5–7 Due to the theory of selective photothermolysis, photons emitted by an IPL device are specifically absorbed by the chromophore hemoglobin (with absorption peaks at 418, 542, and 577 nm), leading to confined photocoagulation of target vessels that spares the surrounding tissue.2
Potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal (532 nm) and pulsed-dye lasers (577 nm and 585–595 nm) are commonly used to target vascular oxyhemoglobin and have been reported to be effective in the treatment of facial telangiectasias.8–10 Their relatively short wavelength also minimizes tissue penetration, sparing deeper vessels.11 An innovative IPL narrowband KTP/PDL-like filter (525–585 nm) has recently been developed for use on vascular lesions. We hypothesized that integrating this filter with the IPL may result in more precise telangiectatic clearance as compared to the broader, currently available IPL vascular filters (eg, 530–650/900–1200 nm). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using an IPL with a KTP/PDL-like filter for the treatment of facial and non-facial telangiectasias.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is one of a number of modalities used for the treatment of these superficial cutaneous vascular lesions.5–7 Due to the theory of selective photothermolysis, photons emitted by an IPL device are specifically absorbed by the chromophore hemoglobin (with absorption peaks at 418, 542, and 577 nm), leading to confined photocoagulation of target vessels that spares the surrounding tissue.2
Potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal (532 nm) and pulsed-dye lasers (577 nm and 585–595 nm) are commonly used to target vascular oxyhemoglobin and have been reported to be effective in the treatment of facial telangiectasias.8–10 Their relatively short wavelength also minimizes tissue penetration, sparing deeper vessels.11 An innovative IPL narrowband KTP/PDL-like filter (525–585 nm) has recently been developed for use on vascular lesions. We hypothesized that integrating this filter with the IPL may result in more precise telangiectatic clearance as compared to the broader, currently available IPL vascular filters (eg, 530–650/900–1200 nm). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using an IPL with a KTP/PDL-like filter for the treatment of facial and non-facial telangiectasias.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Design and Subjects
This was a single-center, prospective, open-label clinical trial approved by the Schulman Institutional Review Board. All of the participants signed an informed consent prior to their enrollment in the study.
This was a single-center, prospective, open-label clinical trial approved by the Schulman Institutional Review Board. All of the participants signed an informed consent prior to their enrollment in the study.
