Patients seeking shorter downtimes following injectable treatments may benefit from treatment with an Nd:YAG laser. Researchers Barry Dekeyser, Marijke Wellnes and Iva Talaber performed a study that tested the use of the laser for post-injectable bruising that consisted of three sessions in two-day intervals.
The study, published in Clinical Case Reports Journal (March 2022), found that low intensity short pulse Nd:YAG 1,064 nm laser treatments reduced the bruise resolution time without any adverse effects.
Related: Tips to Reduce Bruising After Filler Treatments
A patient with Fitzpatrick skin type III received a hyaluronic acid-based injectable filler treatment. The patient was noted as being prone to bruising, so a 25-gauge canula needle was used for the treatment. During the treatment, a blood vessel was hit by the needle causing subcutaneous bleeding.
At a follow-up consultation three days following treatment, the bruise showed no signs of resolution, so the treating physician performed a laser therapy. The patient was treated with 2-3 passes of 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser with the R33 handpiece (Fotona) using the following settings: 4mm spot size, 20 J/cm2 fluence, 0.6 msec pulse duration and 2 Hz frequency.
Cooling (Zimmer Cryo 5, Zimmer MedizinSystems) was applied during the procedure. This treatment was repeated three times in two day intervals. The patient was monitored for adverse effects and pain associated with laser therapy.
Related: Achieving Longer Lasting Botulinum Toxin Injections
The bruise resolved within seven days compared to the typical 10-14 day healing process for a bruise. The authors noted that depending on the severity and stage of the bruise, the parameters for the Nd:YAG laser treatment may be adjusted and a higher fluence considered.
