Treatment of purpura with lasers and light sources.

Abstract

The potential for bruising is a frequent concern for patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures, particularly injection-based soft tissue fillers and botulinum toxin type A. Decreasing the risk of this side effect with good technique and careful patient selection is key, but interventions that quicken the resolution of bruising are also helpful. Many practitioners have employed the theory of selective photothermolysis, using laser and light devices, to target hemoglobin and its breakdown products to speed time to bruise resolution. 585-595 nm pulsed dye, pulsed 532 nm and 1064 nm long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers and intense pulsed light may be utilized with best results achieved when treatment is performed 1-2 days after the appearance of purpura. Specific therapy recommendations, side effects and contraindications will be addressed in this review.

• Authors: Laurel M Morton, Kevin C Smith, Jeffrey S Dover, Kenneth A Arndt
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 12 Issue 11 Pg. 1219-22 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 24196329 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Topics

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Laser Therapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures (adverse effects, methods)
• Patient Selection
• Purpura (etiology, therapy)
• Time Factors