Candela Corporation announces the publication of a study of infants and babies treated with the Vbeam laser for birthmarks, port wine stains, and other vascular related skin conditions on the face and body.

In what is reportedly the largest study of its type, Roy Geronemus, MD—a world authority on the treatment of laser-based vascular anomalies who practices at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York—treated a total of 197 infants and babies with the Vbeam laser in an office setting without the need for anesthesia or surgery. According to the results, 26% of the patients experienced complete clearing and 41% had greater than 75% improvement, with no cases of scarring or pigmentary change.

The study is published in the April 2019 issue of JAMA Dermatology.

The ability to treat pediatric patients without invasive surgery or anesthesia presents a new therapeutic frontier, especially given FDA warnings around the potential adverse effects of using general anesthetic and sedation drugs on children younger than 3 years old.

“Because of the tolerability of the Vbeam laser, we are able to provide infants and children with treatment without having to put them under general anesthesia,” Geronemus says, in a media release from Candela Corp.

Addressing the developmental impact of early therapy, he adds, “Treating these skin conditions early on avoids the physical and psychological impact of having a vascular birthmark on the face and body as children develop. In some cases, patients were treated within days of being born and in many cases, we saw complete or near clearance.”

The 595 nm Vbeam laser’s dynamic cooling spray feature allows for maximum versatility and epidermal protection, allowing Geronemus to make this treatment safe for all pediatric patients treated. Data demonstrated that treating before the age of 1 year old leads to a more complete response rate and the highest rate of clearance among any age group, the release explains.

“My son Brody started his Vbeam treatments with Dr Geronemus at 7 weeks old and after just three treatments, the birthmark on his right cheek is almost completely gone,” says Brittany Schorr, mother of Brody Schorr. “People who knew he had the birthmark couldn’t believe it, and those who didn’t know he had it will never know he did.”

“We have many families that are looking to improve their child’s life with these treatments that help address birthmarks or other vascular formations. My primary referral for these families is Dr Geronemus,” states Dr Linda Rozell-Shannon, president & founder of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation.

“There are specific parameters around using lasers on infants and children, and Dr Geronemus not only follows the latest protocols available, but also has seen the most clearance using the Vbeam laser system for these specific cases.”

The Vbeam pulsed dye laser (PDL) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of port wine stains and vascular anomalies in infants and children, as well as adults. Candela recently introduced the Vbeam Prima laser system to the market, the company reports in the release.

“The introduction of the Vbeam Prima laser and our partnership with Dr Roy Geronemus demonstrates Candela’s commitment to helping change lives,” Geoffrey Crouse, chief executive officer of Candela, comments in the release.

“We are honored to have a partner like Dr Geronemus who is utilizing Candela’s innovative solutions and breakthrough technologies to help improve the overall quality of life for infants and children. We are thrilled with the published outcomes of his recent study using the Vbeam laser system.”

[Source(s): Candela Corporation, PR Newswire]