RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Intense pulsed light (IPL) and 1.064-nm Nd:YAG laser are both being used for the treatment of vascular lesions. This study compared the treatment efficacy of combined therapy versus separately delivery of IPL or 1.064-nm Nd:YAG laser in facial telangiectasia in a split face study design. METHODS: Twenty-four patients were studied using the sequential delivery of IPL and Nd:YAG laser on one side of the face (combined therapy side). The other side received IPL treatment first followed by Nd:YAG treatment 3 days later (separated therapy side). Subjects received single session treatment and evaluated after 4-weeks follow-up. Outcome measures were clinical efficacy (7-point Telangiectasia Grading Score [TGS]), pain (10-point numerical scale), adverse effects, patient satisfaction (10-point numerical scale) and preferred treatment. RESULTS: There are higher TGS scores (4 and 5) in combined therapy sides than in separate therapy sides. The differences in blinded-ratings for both sides were statistically significant. Patients were satisfied in both treatments. However, more subjects preferred the combined therapy over separated treatment. Patients experienced less pain from separated treatment than combined treatment. There were no reports of scarring, dyspigmentation, telangiectatic matting, crusting, blistering or textural changes in any subjects. Combined therapy sides have more incidences of erythema, purpura, and edema in 48 hours post-treatment than separated therapy sides. CONCLUSIONS: The sequential delivery of IPL and Nd:YAG laser suggests that the synergistic approach for facial telangiectasia is a superior method compared to separated therapy.