Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2025

An “All-laser” Endothelial Transplant
Published on: July 6, 2015
Does Topical Anesthesia Alter the Outcomes of Vascular Laser Procedures? Review of Vasodynamic Effects and Clinical
Caitlyn Glover1, Vincent Richer1,2
1Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Background:
Topical anesthesia has vasodynamic effects within the skin and therefore has the potential to change the presence of hemoglobin as a chromophore before intense pulsed light (IPL) and vascular laser treatments. It is unclear whether this is clinically relevant. Global consensus on the use of topical anesthetics in this context is lacking.
Objective:
Review the effects of topical anesthetics on the skin microvasculature and the clinical implications of such effects on vascular treatments.
Methods:
PubMed and Medline searches were performed to identify studies examining the vasodynamic effects of topical anesthesia on skin and evaluating differences in efficacy of IPL and vascular laser treatments with or without topical anesthetic use.
Results:
Published studies reveal variable effects of different topical anesthetic agents on skin microvasculature. Only 3 controlled studies that directly examined the effect of topical anesthesia on clinical outcomes for pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of vascular conditions were identified. They did not support a difference in clinical outcomes with or without the use of topical anesthesia before PDL treatment.
Conclusion:
Although topical anesthetic agents have vasodynamic effects within the skin, there is currently insufficient evidence to advise against their use before light and laser-based vascular treatments.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
One of the advantages of...
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...

