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 .
Two Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Studies Evaluating the S‐Caine Peel for Induction of Local Anesthesia Before Long‐Pulsed Nd: YAG Laser Therapy for Leg Veins
BACKGROUND Topical anesthetics are valuable tools for many dermatologic procedures . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-Caine Peel composed of 1:1 ( wt : wt ) mixture of 7 % lidocaine and 7 % tetracaine in the induction of local anesthesia before long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser therapy for leg veins . METHODS Two r and omized , double-blinded , placebo-controlled trials were performed . In study 1 , 60 adults received S-Caine Peel and placebo cream  for 30 or 60 minutes . Efficacy was evaluated by a patient visual analog scale and impression . The pain scale and impression were evaluated by the investigator and an independent observer . In study 2 , 40 adults received 60- and 90-minute applications . RESULTS In study 1 , the 30- and 60-minute application times were grouped : Patients had adequate pain relief in 48 % of S-Caine sites versus 23 % of placebo sites ( P<0.001 ) . Investigators reported none-to-mild pain in 50 % of active sites versus 33 % of placebo sites ( P = 0.007 ) , with adequate anesthesia in 65 % of active sites versus 43 % of placebo sites ( P = 0.002 ) . The independent witness assessed none-to-mild pain in 52 % of active sites versus 37 % of placebo sites ( P = 0.067 ) . In study 2 , investigators rated none-to-mild pain in 75 % of 60-minute and 85 % of 90-minute S-Caine sites versus 30 % and 50 % of placebo sites ( P = 0.012 and P = 0.002 , respectively ) , with adequate anesthesia in 70 % and 85 % of 60- and 90-minute of active sites versus 25 % and 20 % of placebo sites ( P = 0.029 and P = 0.001 , respectively ) . The independent witness rated none to mild pain in 80 % and 85 % of 60 and 90 minute of S-Caine sites versus 35 % and 50 % of placebo sites ( P = 0.008 and P = 0.004 ) . CONCLUSION The S-Caine Peel provides safe and highly effective local anesthesia when applied for at least 60 minutes for laser therapy of leg veins . Facile removal of the peel provides a unique advantage and ease in administration
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 .