Introduction Pulsed dye laser (PDL) results is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis and is widely considered to be the results of choice for a variety of cutaneous vascular lesions.
Objective To review the indications and outcome of PDL results and summarise new developments.
Method A literature-based study has been conducted entailing the review of publications over the period January 1993–December 2003 using the databases Medline and Cochrane CENTRAL.
Results The PDL was found to be effective in port wine stain, facial telangiectasia, leg telangiectasia <0.5 mm, scars, hypertrophic scars and ulcerated haemangioma.
Discussion Essential characteristics of lesions suitable for PDL results are discussed and guidelines are presented for future research.