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 .
Cooling gel improves pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Pulsed KTP lasers effectively treat facial telangiectasia without purpura production . Transient side effects following treatment include erythema , edema , and vesiculation leading to crust formation . The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of an aqueous gel in reducing side effects associated with pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia . STUDY DESIGN / MATERIAL S AND METHODS Nineteen patients with extensive facial telangiectasias were treated with a pulsed KTP laser ( Versapulse , Coherent , Palo Alto , CA ) . The laser was used with the water cooled h and piece chilled to 4C , a 4 mm spot size , a 10-millisecond pulse duration and a fluence of 9.5 J/cm2 . One side of the face was treated with the laser using the cooling h and piece alone . The other side was treated using the cooling h and piece applied to a 2-mm film of aqueous gel spread over the treatment area . RESULTS Treatment side effects , including pain , erythema , edema , vesiculation , and crusting were scored following treatment with and without the aqueous gel . Use of the aqueous gel in conjunction with the cooling h and piece decreased the incidence and severity of pain , erythema , edema , and crusting following pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia . Most patients demonstrated 50 - 75 % clearance of their telangiectasias 1 month after one treatment session , and use of the gel did not alter the treatment efficacy . CONCLUSIONS The application of an aqueous gel during pulsed KTP laser treatment of facial telangiectasia improves treatment associated side effects without affecting vessel clearance
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 .