Since 1984, a continuum of controlled studies have been done on the use of the fragile, superficial telangiectasia of the elderly, which were utilized as a model for some of the basic studies of the effects of lasers on the cardiovascular system. We report the use of the 600 nm flash pumped dye laser for the fragile telangiectasia of the elderly in our classification of the Class 2 group. In some vessels studied, the special Teflon-insulated, intravenous electric needle of Kobayashi-Yamada was used. For the bluish vessels, the 600 nm flash pumped dye laser penetrated deeper into the vessel than the 585 nm, but multiple and repeated treatments were needed for clinical effect. Preliminary studies have also shown some initial response in port wine marks and facial telangiectasia.
