Details: Laser and Pulsed Light
How do lasers and pulsed light work?
Lasers and/or pulsed light devices are used to eliminate or improve superficial dilated vessels (telangiectasias) and redness on the face, neck and chest. These devices emit intense light energy that passes safely through the outer layer of skin and is absorbed by oxygenated hemoglobin carried by red blood cells inside the dilated vessels. The light energy is converted into heat inside the blood vessel which injures the vessel without harming the surrounding skin. Pulsed light machines are recommended for full face, neck, or chest treatments. The vascular laser is used for focal treatment of more stubborn vessels.
What does treatment involve?
Treatment involves a series of sessions during which the physician pulses over the target vessels with the laser or pulsed light hand piece.
How long does a treatment take?
The time for each treatment depends on how much surface area is being treated. Treatment of the nose, for example, takes five minutes. Treatment of the entire face takes about thirty minutes.
Does it hurt?
The patient experiences mild discomfort in the form of a very quick hot tingle. The sensation is very tolerable, and numbing creams are not necessary.
What happens after each treatment?
Treated areas quickly become red and slightly swollen, like a hive or bug bite. Makeup can be applied immediately after treatments to camouflage redness. The swelling resolves gradually in a few hours to a few days. Pigmented growths like age spots may become darker and may peel during the first week. Many of the blood vessels are closed (invisible) immediately after treatment. Over the following four to six weeks the vessels start to heal and red lines reappear. A series of treatments is necessary for permanent removal.
How frequent are the treatments?
We wait four to six weeks between treatments to allow complete healing of the injured vessels.
How many treatments are needed?
Most patients will achieve satisfactory long term removal or lightening of vessels with just three treatments. Patients with very thick, long-standing, or dense mesh-like vessels can require more.
How long will the results last?
Once a vessel is fully treated, it will not return. You will develop new vessels slowly over time at the same rate as before treatment. Some patients prefer to return as often as every six months for maintenance. Other patients prefer to wait a few years before a touch-up treatment.
What are the other risks?
Bruising is rare, except for patients who are on blood thinners or have thinner skin. This dark purple spotting resolves slowly over one to two weeks. Patients who have numerous vessels treated under the eyes can experience five to ten days of lower eyelid edema (puffiness). There are rare reports of blistering, scabbing, and scarring. Pigment changes such as hyperpigmentation (darkening) and hypopigmentation (lightening) are rare. Occasionally, very thick vessels will not respond or will leave a temporary shallow crease when removed. Some hair reduction may occur in the treated areas. As with any medical or surgical treatment, there is always the chance of unforeseen consequences.
How do I minimize the risks?
Avoiding tanning will reduce the risks of blistering and pigment abnormalities to less than one percent. Start treatments when your skin is at its palest. Avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen products, vitamin E, and herbal remedies one week prior to treatment will further lessen the small risk of bruising. Contact your physician immediately should a blister occur after treatment. Proper management of blisters is essential to prevent scarring.
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