NEWS, VIEWS, AND REVIEWS: A Tool for My Laser Practice I Simply Can’t Do Without: Shining a Light on My Favorite Light (Source)

September 2017 | Volume 16 | Issue 9 | Features | 939 | Copyright © September 2017


Eric F. Bernstein MD MSE

Figure3being able to highlight surface, and sub-surface features. As for the Syris light’s most common use, treating vascular lesions with lasers or sclerotherapy, it is simply indispensable. Linear telangiectasias appear to jump out at the observer using the Syris light in cross-polarizing mode (Figure 3). Under normal visualization using halogen operating-room lights, only thelarger vessels are seen. When donning the Syris light, numerous heretofore unseen capillaries, veins, and diffuse redness appear instantaneously. This cross-polarizable, magnifying headlamp is essential when treating linear telangiectasias on the face, legs, or anywhere on the body. In addition, the extent of diffuse redness or pigmentation is easily seen when using the cross-polarized setting of the Syris light. Port-wine stainswhich are becoming faint can often be difficult to visualize after a number of treatments, but are easily outlined with white eyeliner pencil when using the Syris polarizing headlamp. The same is true when trying to find numerous nevus araneuses or cherry angiomas in a sea of nevi or ephiledes. Distinguishing between even tiny vascular and pigmented lesions is much easier when using the Syris light. Tattoos are also made extremelyhighly visible, even on dry skin, with the Syris light. Cross-polarization using the Syris light enables not only visualization of the numerous colors that can be within a tattoo, but also the presence of white pigment, which can turn gray after laser treatment and may not then come out with subsequent laser treatments. The Syris light enables visualization of subtle, or hidden, white pigment that is often mixed with other pigments, or used very sparingly in tattoos. In addition, tattoos that are overlain by a cover-up tattoo can be visualized, preparing the physician for its emergence once treatment commences.