Indocyanine green-augmented diode laser therapy of telangiectatic leg veins: a randomized controlled proof-of-concept trial.

Background: Telangiectatic leg veins, which affect about 40-50% of adults, represent a frequent cosmetic rather than a medical problem. Besides sclerotherapy, various laser devices are common treatment options. However, complete clearance rates can only be achieved in a small number of patients.

Skin rejuvenation with intense pulsed light.

Skin rejuvenation has developed into one of the most popular indications for laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment in dermatology. During the past few years, nonablative skin rejuvenation with infrared lasers has become ever more popular. The results for hyperpigmentation, telangiectasias and erythema are very good, whereas the results in treating wrinkles are not as good as with ablative therapy.

Photodynamic therapy in dermatology.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a modern therapy modality, based upon the application of a photosensitizing agent like aminolevulinic acid, a physiological precursor of porphyrins, onto the tissue followed by illumination with light of the visible wavelength spectrum. During this oxygen-dependent reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated that have immunomodulatory or cytotoxic effects. PDT shows excellent cosmetic results especially for its key indication in dermatology - the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.