Vascular Lasers
Which skin conditions can be treated with vascular lasers and what types of lasers are used?
Vascular lasers
Vascular lasers such as the pulsed dye laser are used for the following indications:-
- Rosacea and facial redness
- Spider veins (telangiectasias)
- Port-wine stains
- Spider naevus
- Cherry angiomas
- Venous lakes
- Poikiloderma of Civatte
- Scars
I will most commonly use Pulsed-Dye Lasers. These emit a yellow light, which is absorbed by the haemoglobin in blood vessels. This light energy causes the blood vessels to coagulate and eventually be reabsorbed by the body. PDLs are particularly effective for treating rosacea, facial redness, spider veins, and port-wine stains.
Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers: Nd:YAG lasers have a longer wavelength, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin. This makes them suitable for treating larger blood vessels, such as those found in varicose veins and deeper vascular lesions, however as they target larger blood vessels, they are associated with a slightly higher risk of complications such as scarring.
Facial redness and blood vessels can also be treated with Intense Pulsed Light.
Advantages of vascular laser treatments
- Minimally invasive: Lasers offer precise targeting of blood vessels, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and reducing the risk of scarring.
- Quick: Vascular laser treatments are typically quick, with many procedures taking less than an hour to complete.
- Minimal downtime: Most patients can return to their normal activities soon after treatment, with only minor side effects, such as temporary redness or swelling.
- Long-lasting results: Vascular laser treatments often provide long-lasting improvement in the appearance of vascular skin conditions.
Risks and Side Effects
As with any medical procedure, vascular laser treatments do carry some risks and potential side effects:
- Pain or discomfort: Some patients may experience mild pain or discomfort during the treatment, which can be managed with topical anesthetics or cooling devices.
- Redness and swelling: Temporary redness and swelling may occur after treatment but typically resolve within a few days.
- Pigmentary change: In rare cases, vascular laser treatments may cause temporary or permanent changes in skin pigmentation, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones.
- Scarring: Although rare, scarring is a potential risk of vascular laser treatment, particularly if the skin's outer layers are damaged during the procedure.
- Incomplete clearance: Some vascular lesions may require multiple treatment sessions for optimal results, and in some cases, complete clearance may not be achievable.
Useful information
Consent Form Vascular Laser
Questions
What is pulsed dye laser treatment?
Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment uses a specific type of laser, emitting light at a wavelength that targets blood vessels in the skin. PDL is primarily used to treat vascular skin conditions, such as rosacea, port-wine stains, spider veins, and red scars.
How does pulsed dye laser treatment work?
The pulsed dye laser emits light at a specific wavelength that is absorbed by the blood vessels in the targeted area. The absorbed energy heats the blood vessels, causing them to shrink or collapse. Over time, the body naturally reabsorbs the damaged vessels, reducing the appearance of redness or prominent blood vessels.
Is pulsed dye laser treatment painful?
Some patients may experience mild discomfort during the treatment, often described as a sensation similar to a rubber band being snapped against the skin. Anaesthetic is not required, however cooling is used during the procedure.
How many treatments are needed?
For redness and prominent blood vessels, most patients require 4-6 sessions, spaced 6 weeks apart. For isolated vascular lesions such as a spider naevus, venous lake or cherry angioma 1-2 treatments is often sufficient.
What should I expect during the recovery period?
After a pulsed dye laser treatment, patients may experience temporary redness, swelling, and mild bruising in the treated area. These side effects usually resolve within a few days to a week. It is essential to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen, to minimize the risk of complications such as pigmentation.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with pulsed dye laser treatment?
Risks include significant bruising, temporary or permanent changes in skin pigmentation, scarring, blistering, or, in rare cases, infection. Dr Lynch will discuss these risks with you in detail prior to the procedure.
How long do the results of pulsed dye laser treatment last?
Results are generally long-lasting, however for conditions such as rosacea, top up treatments may be required.
Is pulsed dye laser treatment suitable for all skin types?
Pulsed dye laser treatment is generally safe for most skin types but more caution is required in darker skin types.
Can pulsed dye laser treatment be combined with other treatments?
Yes, pulsed dye laser treatment can be combined with other treatments such as steroid injection for scars, Q-switched laser for pigmentation and non-ablative fractional laser for scarring and fine lines.
How much does pulsed dye laser treatment cost?
You will provided with a quotation for treatment at the time of consultation. A guide to prices is available
here.
