A Split-Face Study of Dual-Wavelength Laser on Neck and Facial Port-Wine Stains in Chinese Patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although pulsed dye laser (PDL) has long been regarded as the gold standard in treating port-wine stain (PWS), advanced PWS with deeper coloration may display resistance because of limited penetration depth of 585 or 595-nm light. Recently, a dual-wavelength laser system has been reported to achieve pronounced fading in many patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a dual-wavelength laser device in treatment of neck and facial PWS in a direct side-by-side comparison. METHODS: Sixteen Chinese patients with neck and/or facial PWSs were enrolled in the study. All lesions were randomly divided into two area, treated area and adjacent untreated area. Five successive treatments using a dual-wavelength laser system (595-nm PDL combined with 1,064-nm NdYAG laser) were delivered on treated areas at 4- to 6-week intervals. The adjacent area was not treated as self control. Two blinded dermatologists evaluated the clinical changes by comparing the before and after photos. Erythema index (EI) values were measured with a non-invasive instrument. RESULTS: After five sessions of treatment, over 62.5% (10/16) patients achieved more than 50% (moderate or significant) improvement. The efficacy maintained at the 3-month follow-up visit. The values of EI on treated area showed a significant decrease. Adverse effects of treated area were limited. CONCLUSION: Using this split-face module, the dual-wavelength laser system is proved to be effective and well tolerated in treating neck and facial PWSs in Chinese patients. Adverse effects were minimal and acceptable.