Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions
Prominent vessels immediately under the surface of the skin are typically not dangerous but can be unsightly. For many of these common vascular lesions, laser treatment has proven to be the “gold standard” for treatment, as it provides a safe and effective way to treat the vessels without damaging surrounding tissues. We utilize the Gemini laser in our office for the treatment of many of these common lesions.
Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions Overview
Your first Visit
At your initial visit, we will evaluate your areas of concern, and discuss options for treatment, recovery time, and the potential for scarring. In some cases, we may recommend no laser treatment at all, if other methods seem more appropriate. If laser treatment is needed, we will discuss how this is performed, the expected recovery time, expected results, and develop a treatment plan. Costs of the procedure will be discussed as this is often considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by insurance.
Treatment Areas
Laser treatment of vascular lesions is clearly superior to other methods of treatment, which are more prone to scarring and abnormal pigmentation after treatment. This easy, low-cost treatment is remarkably effective.
- Angiomas, hemangiomas- red spots or patches on or just under the surface of the skin
- Telangetasias- superficial nests of bright red blood vessels
- Spider veins
- Rosacea
- Red scars
How It Works
Medical lasers produce a short pulse of intense light at a fixed wavelength. Depending on the wavelength, the energy will be absorbed differently by different tissues. We utilize IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments in our Lawrence office, or may suggest the Erbium laser to achieve complete ablation.
Laser treatment is especially effective in treating small vessels, but is less effective in larger ones. In these cases, we may recommend sclerotherapy (injections) or vein surgery. While we do not perform this type of surgery, we will be happy to refer you to a physician or center that we trust.
The Procedure
Laser treatments are performed at our Lawrence office by our physicians or trained aestheticians utilizing a local or topical anesthetic. We will utilize our IPL device or Erbium laser to treat these individual areas. Treatment times are usually 30 minutes or less and typically have minimal or mild pain afterward.
Recovery
In most cases, normal activities can be resumed right away. The treated areas often may initially darken before they fade, so don’t plan any important social activities right away. These areas will then gradually fade over the next 1-2 weeks. It is important to avoid sun exposure or use a good sunscreen for the first several weeks after treatment.
Most spots and vessels will fade after one treatment, although a second treatment might be required for complete eradication. We typically start with a lower energy setting (for safety) then utilize a higher power for retreatment if the areas prove to be stubborn.
Financing & Payment Options
For information regarding insurance and payment options, please visit our Financing page. We can give you price information prior to the procedure so you can understand your financial obligations.
Patient Forms
Please fill out paperwork at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
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