[Treatment of peri-ocular skin lesions with the erbium:YAG laser].

INTRODUCTION

A great number of consmetically disturbing, cutaneous lesions are localized in the periocular region. While various approaches for treatment such as excision, electrocauterization or cryosurgery often show unsatisfactory results, the use of laser technology is of increasing interest.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 104 patients with different cutaneous periorbital lesions (wrinkles, xanthelasma, syringoma) were treated with a new erbium: YAG laser system (wavelength 2940 nm, pulse duration 0.350 ms and pulse energy 0.1-1.7 Joules), which works on the principle of vaporization.

RESULTS

The erbium: YAG laser allows athermic ablation of very thin skin layers without scarring and with minimal lateral thermal injury due an extremely short pulse duration. Periorbital lesions can be treated effectively by erbium: YAG laser, and good to excellent cosmetic results can be obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of pulsed erbium: YAG laser is an effective and promising new method for treatment of different superficial periorbital cutaneous lesions.