Laser Treatment in Childhood

Today, there are various laser systems developed for the treatment of congenital vascular marks (port-wine stain). The most commonly accepted one and considered as the golden standard is pulse dye lasers. Use of the lasers, which have been in use for the last 50 years, on infants and children is effective and safe. 


 

It does not harm muscle and bone structures

Laser technology ensures laser energy is selectively absorbed by the targeted tissue and cause specific heat damage to the targeted tissue; this way, while the vascular marks are removed, other structures of the skin are not damaged. PDL energy penetrates approximately 1 mm into the skin; which means it is not possible to harm muscle-bone tissues which are localized deeper.
 

Treatment is planned according to the size of mark and the child's age

PDL treatment is applied in 3-6 week intervals in many sessions under local or general anesthesia in accordance with the size of mark and the child's age and provides results that put a smile on the patient's face with nearly full brightening. 
 

Requires treatment in the early period

Port-wine stains that localize in visible areas, especially such as the face, cause prominent self-confidence problems for the child whose psychological development continues. Therefore, the spots localized in broad and visible areas should be treated in the earliest possible period before the child becomes aware of it. Another advantage of starting the treatment in early infancy period (from the 1st month of age) is obtaining quicker results with less sessions and less complications due to characteristics of baby skin. 
 

Does not require anesthesia

The sensation PDL treatment leaves on the skin can be described as a rubber band hitting the skin; which means it is not a very painful procedure. However, for safety of the procedure, the child needs to be stabilized and the child's eyes should be closed in order to not get damaged. This procedure can be easily performed on little babies without the need of general anesthesia. As many sessions as possible is recommended in the first 12-18 months of life for marks localized on the face. 
 

Requires protection from sunlight

The treated area gets darker with bruises for the next 7-10 days after the session. The full effect of the treatment generally reveals itself 3-4 weeks after the session. Especially in the first sessions of the treatment, the color of the mark gets brighter 10-20 percent after every session. Since it can be affected by sunlight, it is important for the area to be protected from Sun before and after laser. Aspirin and painkillers / antipyretics should be avoided before the treatment as well. Even though laser treatment can be terminated after ensuring fade in the color of port-wine stain to a certain extent, monitoring of the patients and repetition of laser treatment may be required if necessary since the same area can get darker again in some cases.