Treatment of venous lake with multiwavelength 595 and 1064 nm lasers in Asian Fitzpatrick skin type IV patients

Multi-wavelength laser treatments of spider nevi

Spider nevi (SN) are one of common vascular diseases. Different treatment techniques have been described for SN previously, including electrocoagulation, argon laser, pulsed dye lasers (PDL), pulsed potassium titanylphosphate laser (KTP), and 1064-nm neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. These methods are effective but may require good technical management, multiple treatments, and often result in scarring or pigmentation. Multi-wavelength laser combined with 595-nm PDL followed by 1064-nm Nd:YAG and can be selectively absorbed by hemoglobin in vessels. The 595-nm laser can target shallow vessels whereas the 1064-nm laser may target deeper vessels due to the different penetration capacities of these wavelengths. Moreover, Nd:YAG absorption is remarkable increased following by PDL treatment. Multi-wavelength laser treatments have been successfully used for vascular diseases but there is little experience in SN therapy. Consequently, these treatment parameters have not been established for SN, particularly in Asian patients with Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) IV. Report experience with using multi-wavelength laser for SN treatment in Asian patients with FST IV. Forty-three SN lesions received multi-wavelength laser treatments via a PDL followed by an Nd:YAG laser. The treatment was performed at 7 mm spot size at 9.5-11 J/cm², 10 ms with PDL, followed by Nd:YAG at 40-50 J/cm², 15 ms. The laser treatments were performed with a single pass without overlap. Complete resolution was observed in 40 lesions and an 80-90% improvement in the other three lesions after one treatment session. One patient had superficial scarring. Four patients had hyperpigmentation that resolved within 3 months. Multi-wavelength laser treatments are fast and effective interventions for SN treatment in Asian patients with minimal adverse effects when appropriate parameters are set.

Risk factors of striae gravidarum in Chinese primiparous women

Background

Striae gravidarum is a common skin problem of considerable cosmetic concern for many pregnant women. Various risk factors associated with the development of striae have been reported, with conflicting results.

Objectives

To analyze the risk factors of striae gravidarum in Chinese primiparous women and to provide evidence relevant to the prevention of this condition.

Methods

Singleton primiparous pregnant women who were hospitalized for delivery were included, and relevant data were collected. Independent risk factors associated with striae gravidarum in women with and those without striae gravidarum were identified using logistic regression.

Results

Among 213 singleton primiparous pregnant women, 125 had striae gravidarum, yielding a prevalence of up to 58.9%. There was a significant variation (P < 0.05, odds ratio >1) between the striae gravidarum and non-striae gravidarum groups in terms of several factors, including younger maternal age, weight gain during pregnancy, body mass index gain, uterine height, abdominal girth, and positive family history. Factors such as maternal height, birth weight, systemic disease, skin type, and neonatal gender did not significantly differ between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

This study showed that the independent risk factors for striae gravidarum in primiparous women were younger maternal age, weight gain during pregnancy, body mass index gain, uterine height, abdominal girth, and a positive family history. The severity of striae gravidarum was associated with weight gain during pregnancy, body mass index gain, abdominal girth, and timing of the onset of striae gravidarum.