Histology of port wine stains after copper vapour laser treatment
Walker, E.P.; Butler, P.H.; Pickering, J.W.; Day, W.A.; Fraser, R.; Van Halewyn, C.N.
British Journal of Dermatology 121(2): 217-223
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-0963 PMID: 2775646 Document Number: 332397
We report histological changes in four patients with port wine stains treated with 578 nm yellow light from a high power copper vapour laser. Histology showed that selective damage occurred to the ectatic blood-vessels in the dermis, without haemorrhage and damage to non-vascular structures, and without scarring. The initial damage to the overlying epidermis was not permanent, and the damaged ectatic vessels returned to normal size or were completely necrosed and replaced by collagen.