ABSTRACT
Lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) are used to treat leg
telangiectasia for various reasons. First, both treatments
have a futuristic appeal not only to the general public but
also to physicians. By virtue of their advanced technology,
they are perceived as ‘state-of-the-art’ treatment modali-
ties and are sought by the general public because ‘high
tech’ is thought of as safer and better than traditional scle-
rotherapy. Unfortunately, these perceptions have often
resulted in unanticipated adverse sequelae (scarring and
pain) at an increased cost to the patient (lasers costing
considerably more to purchase and maintain than a
needle, syringe, and sclerosing solution).
