All About Laser (also vote in our poll)

Guide · February 9, 2011

Laser is one of the older light devices used for treating rosacea and is included in the category of Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) for the treatment of rosacea. Here are the most common lasers mentioned:

Pulsed dye laser (595 nm, yellow)

Smoothbeam laser [4]

Safe and effective for the treatment of port-wine stains for patients of all ages, including infants and children

Highest degree of success on the head and neck

Less success on extremities and torso

Minimal risk of scarring or pigment alteration

Some models utilize a dynamic cooling system to decrease pain and epidermal injury

Lighter skinned patients respond quicker, due to deeper penetration of the laser energy

Newer models may produce less bruising

Treatment of choice for port-wine stains and facial erythema in rosacea

Other indications include hemangiomas, spider angiomas, telangiectasias, venous lakes, scars, and warts

Pulsed Nd:YAG (KTP) green laser (532 nm, green)

Suited to treat superficial vessels

Little or no bruising seen

Most effective for lighter skinned patients, tanned skin may lead to increased incidence of skin injury

Skin cooled through contact cooling and/or cooling gels

Indications include telangiectasias, adult port-wine stains, cherry angiomas, spider angiomas, and venous lakes

Intense pulsed light source (515-1200 nm)

Multiple wavelengths delivered simultaneously

Bruising occurs with treatment and correlates with response to treatment

Useful for port-wine stains, telangiectasias, hemangiomas [1]

While there are some positive reports that laser works for rosacea there are a number of reports indicating otherwise. For instance Banshee's report that she no longer recommends laser. [2] Jenn is another one who reports a bad reaction to laser. [3] There are many reports posted about laser treatment for rosacea, some good and many otherwise.

The excel V+ laser platform is considered one of the top of the line machines. What you need to understand is anyone with a lot of money can purchase a top of the line racing car like a Lotus Formula One but its the driver that really counts. The same is true with these high end laser machines, it is the dermatologist or the operator using the laser that make the difference.

light devices available in the RRDi affiliate store.

End Notes

[1] Skin Therapy Letter

Written for dermatologists by dermatologists. Indexed by the US National Library of Medicine.

[2] Banshee's full report

[3] Jenn's report

[4] J Dermatolog Treat.

2012 Apr;23(2):153-5. Epub 2010 Oct 22.

Moderate rhinophyma successfully treated with a Smoothbeam laser.

Chou CL, Chiang YY.