Right-left comparison study of hydrogel pad versus transparent fluid gel in patients with dermo-cosmetic lesions undergoing non-ablative laser therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the cooling properties of a transparent hydrogel pad and a fluid gel in patients with dermo-cosmetic lesions undergoing non-ablative laser therapy.

Methods: Patients enrolled in this prospective, open, randomized study had vascular or pigmented lesions in the face, v-neck or hands. The assigned test product was applied to the skin on the left side of the lesion whereas the other product was applied to the opposite side. Primary endpoints were the maximal pain intensity during laser treatment and the number of blisters and crusts after laser treatment.

Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled and underwent laser procedures using a hydrogel pad and fluid gel (16 patients with vascular and five with pigmented lesions). Maximal local pain severity was lower in all 21 patients on the side where the transparent hydrogel pad was applied (p<0.001); the transparent hydrogel pad was associated with a more cooling effect (p<0.001) and less erythema (p = 0.027). The number of crusts was similar for both test products.

Conclusion: Overall, laser therapy was more convenient for the patients on the side where the transparent hydrogel pad was applied. The transparent hydrogel pad offers an alternative skin cooling method worth considering for non-ablative laser therapy.