Efficacy of the Nd YAG Laser in the treatment of superficial cutaneous vascular lesions

On the basis of accumulated clinical experience, there is some information available about the treatment of vascular lesions with lasers especially the pulse dye laser. Our study aims to assess the efficacy of Nd YAG lasers in the management of cutaneous vascular lesions and compare results with previously published work on the Nd YAG laser, the Pulse Dye Laser, and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). The apparatus used was the Combined IPL–Nd YAG Laser system from AK lasers. Fifteen patients volunteered with thread veins, spider naevi, and telangectasia. The treatments were given on an outpatient basis, and results were reassessed at 1 month. The results were generally disappointing at 1 month. Ten patients had no improvement. Five patients treated on the face had minimal to moderate improvement. Although the Nd YAG laser showed dramatic immediate results, in the long run, its use proved disappointing for cutaneous venous lesions of the lower limbs, although the results for facial lesions are better and in keeping with previous studies.