In general , active non-invasive anaesthetic methods seemed to provide favourable results compared to placebo or no anaesthesia , and topical anaesthetic drugs and PSF seemed to result in a better pain reduction than skin cooling .
However , the current evidence is insufficient to provide recommendations for daily clinical practice .
Future studies should also evaluate sex differences in pain perception , have uniformity with regard to vali date d pain measurement scales and address clinical ly significant differences in pain reduction besides statistically significant differences
Pain is a common side-effect of dermatological laser procedures .
Non-invasive anaesthetic drugs and anaesthetic procedures can be used to provide pain relief and increase patient satisfaction and treatment efficacy .
However , it remains unclear which method provides the best pain relief .
The objective of this systematic review was therefore to assess the efficacy and safety of non-invasive anaesthetic methods during dermatological laser procedures .
Evaluation of a Novel Topical Anesthetic Agent for Cutaneous Laser Resurfacing: A Randomized Comparison Study
BACKGROUND A variety of topical anesthetic compounds are available for use prior to minimally or moderately painful cutaneous laser procedures . A novel lidocaine/tetracaine-based peel has recently been developed that is applied to the skin as a cream and , once air dried , is removed as a flexible film that may prove useful in providing adequate dermal anesthesia for dermatologic laser surgery . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel topical anesthetic peel preparation for induction of local anesthesia prior to full-face cutaneous laser resurfacing . METHODS A series of 20 patients undergoing full-face single-pass CO2 laser resurfacing were enrolled in a double-blind institutional review board (IRB)-approved study protocol in which two different topical anesthetic products were compared . A 4 cm × 4 cm area of one cheek was r and omized to receive the novel lidocaine/tetracaine-based cream peel ( S-Caine ) while a 4 cm × 4 cm area on the contralateral side received EMLA cream with occlusion for 30 minutes prior to laser treatment . Patients rated the level of pain experienced during laser treatment on each side using a visual analog scale . Independent assessment s of observed discomfort and side effects were recorded RESULTS Pain scores were significantly lower using the novel lidocaine/tetracaine-based cream peel formulation compared with the EMLA cream . Side effects associated with application of the anesthetic peel were limited to mild transient erythema and skin blanching . CONCLUSION A novel topical lidocaine/tetracaine-based cream peel provides safe and effective dermal anesthesia for single-pass CO2 laser skin resurfacing
In general , active non-invasive anaesthetic methods seemed to provide favourable results compared to placebo or no anaesthesia , and topical anaesthetic drugs and PSF seemed to result in a better pain reduction than skin cooling .
However , the current evidence is insufficient to provide recommendations for daily clinical practice .
Future studies should also evaluate sex differences in pain perception , have uniformity with regard to vali date d pain measurement scales and address clinical ly significant differences in pain reduction besides statistically significant differences
Pain is a common side-effect of dermatological laser procedures .
Non-invasive anaesthetic drugs and anaesthetic procedures can be used to provide pain relief and increase patient satisfaction and treatment efficacy .
However , it remains unclear which method provides the best pain relief .
The objective of this systematic review was therefore to assess the efficacy and safety of non-invasive anaesthetic methods during dermatological laser procedures .