Treatment of Facial Telangiectases With Glycerin Sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND Sclerotherapy is used to treat varicosities and telangiectases. Glycerin is a sclerosing agent that has been used off-label for years with a favorable adverse effect profile. However, the treatment of facial telangiectases with sclerotherapy is controversial given the potential for necrosis and embolization in relation to the complex vascular anatomy of the face. OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of glycerin sclerotherapy for the treatment of facial telangiectases. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors report a series of 8 patients with facial telangiectases treated with glycerin sclerotherapy. Glycerin mixed with lidocaine and epinephrine was used. The telangiectases were measured and identified as targets for treatment. RESULTS The patients ranged in age from 45 to 88 years. Between 0.5 and 1 mL was used to treat telangiectases of the nose and malar cheek area per session. Five of the patients achieved satisfactory results after 1 treatment, whereas patients with more extensive telangiectases required up to 3 sessions with 4-week intervals between each session. Injection site pain was the only reported adverse effect, and no evidence of necrosis or blindness was observed. CONCLUSION Glycerin sclerotherapy seems to be a safe and effective modality for the treatment of facial telangiectases. Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Sean McGregor, DO, PharmD, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, 4618 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, or e-mail: smcgrego@wakehealth.edu The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. Use of this product as discussed has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. © 2019 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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