The treatment of early cutaneous capillary haemangiomata (strawberry naevi) with the tunable dye laser

We have treated 39 early cutaneous capillary haemangiomata, in 24 infants, with the tunable dye laser at a wavelength of 585 nm (SPTL 1b, Candela Corporation, Wayland, MA, USA). The average age at first treatment was 13 weeks. The first signs of involution were seen at 19 weeks of age. Complete resolution of the lesions was seen in 61.5% of haemangiomata at an average age of 39 weeks. Two haemangiomata did not respond to laser treatment and were treated successfully with intralesional steroid injection. There were no complications of laser treatment. The natural history of the treated haemangiomata was significantly shorter than historical evidence suggests for untreated lesions. Haemangiomata may be treated safely and effectively with the tunable dye laser in the early weeks of life leading to accelerated involution and resolution.