LASER THERAPY VERSUS LIGHT THERAPY IN MANAGEMENT OF LEG VEINS

Abstract

Telangiectasia and varicose veins are common diseases which can be a source of cosmetic concern to the patient. Laser has been used to treat leg veins since 1970s while its result had not become satisfactory till the 1980s with the development of pulsed dye lasers, the concept of selective photothermolysis give us the tool necessary to be more precise and safe with laser energy. The use of cooling was tried to protect the epidermis for more fair cosmetic results. The introduction of intense light therapy as a noncoherent intense pulsed light source to confirm the principle of selective photothrmolysis with a wide range ofwavelength (515-1200 nm). Argon and carbodioxide lasers were used in the treatment of leg telangiectasia with "insignificant" benefit, while pulsed dye laser gave good results but associated with some disadvantages, this was changed by modifying it to long pulsed dye laser which give fair results. Poor results obtained from ND:YAG laser is completely changed with the introduce of frequency doubled ND:YAG laser. Some clinical trials with copper laser, KTP laser and krypton laser were satisfactory but some are not. New long Alexandrite laser gave promising results. While results of the intense light therapy is still vague.