Topical anesthetics for pediatric laser treatment
Journal
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Marija Stevic
Ana Vlajkovic
Branislav Trifunovic
Ivan Rakic
Nina Ristic
Ivana Budic
Vesna Marjanovic
Dusica Simic
DOI
10.1080/14764172.2019.1689273
Abstract
Topical anesthetic agent causes transient insensibility to pain in a limited area of skin, and provides effective anesthesia in a short onset time, short duration, with seldom local or systemic side effects on intact skin and is simple to use. Topical formulations may offer significant benefits for prevention of procedural pain. Currently, they are considered to be the most effective anesthesia for laser treatments. Unfortunately, there is no standard anesthetic technique for this procedure. Lasers are being widely used in numerous dermatological and esthetics treatments in childhood. The advancement of new knowledge in laser technology have contributed to the development of new lasers that are commonly used in a pediatric population, such as Pulsed Dye, Carbon-dioxide and Nd:YAG laser. The most commonly used topical anesthetics in young patients for minimally or moderately painful laser cutaneous procedures are Lidocaine, Prilocaine, Tetracaine gel and combinations thereof.