Background

In the past, the usual remedies for enlarged blood vessels or vascular lesions were sclerotherapy by injection, and surgical vein stripping. Now there is a more effective solution: Laser. Spider veins, vascular malformations, or enlarged capillaries are a thing of the past with the new YAG laser. This laser specifically coagulates blood vessels without injury to surrounding structures. The deep penetration of the 1064 nm beam enables treatment of deeper (non-superficial) and larger veins and hemangiomas. Multiple treatments over a period of several months may be necessary to achieve the desired results. Transient swelling or redness may develop around the treated areas, but this typically resolves in a couple of days.

Please avoid sun exposure to areas to be treated for at least 3 weeks prior to your treatment. If you have a tan or feel your skin is darker than usual, please inform our staff. Though the modern lasers used in our office are safe for even for dark colored skin, it may be worthwhile to postpone your treatment for a few weeks.

Procedure

A numbing cream is applied to the areas to be treated. A laser beam produces a beam of highly concentrated light which is absorbed by the pigment in blood vessels. During your treatment, the laser pulses for a fraction of a second, just long enough to vaporize the pigment, causing blood to coagulate within the vessels. The vessels are then absorbed by the body's inflammatory system.

The YAG laser used at Dr. Sayah's office has a special contact-cooling hand piece which is perfectly comfortable on your skin. It protects and cools the upper layer of the skin before, during and after each pulse while directing the laser energy to deeper levels. The combination of this aggressive skin cooling and other key laser parameters allows safe and effective treatment of all skin colors.

The length of a laser session may a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area being treated. Because the enlarged vessels are of various sizes, more than one treatment may be required to coagulate all of the enlarged vessels. The larger veins will obviously require more treatments than small spider veins. The laser treatment itself can cause slight tingling sensation. Most patients tolerate the procedure well. But because some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, topical anesthesia is typically used.

The appearance of the treated are immediately after a laser session will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of treatment and skin type. Immediate after effects, if any, are minor. They may include redness and swelling which disappear in a short time. Most people return to normal activity right away. We will be happy to tell you more about your treatment and what you can expect during your consultation.

After the Procedure

You must avoid direct sunlight and wear sun-block with at high protection factor (at least SPF 30) for at least 1 month after your treatment. Tanning after treatment sessions may enhance melanin regeneration, which may result in hyper-pigmentation. You may apply makeup on your face immediately after your treatment. However, if you have a reaction to your makeup, please inform us as soon as possible.

Please avoid hot baths. You can enjoy quick warm showers for the first 2 days after your laser treatment, but do not use HOT water or soak in a bath tub. Do not go into a Jacuzzi, sauna or perform strenuous exercise for 48 hours. Use a gentle non-abrasive cleanser that is free of artificial fragrance, detergent, color and oil. We will gladly recommend the appropriate brands. Avoid exfoliating the skin with loofas or abrasive scrubs.

After facial laser treatments, use an oil-free, non-medicated cover-up, preferably with sunscreen. Avoid use of toners for 48 hours. We recommend toners with antioxidants including Vitamin A, C and E after this period. Keep the treated area moisturized with a body cream at all times. We will gladly recommend the appropriate brands. Avoid skin irritants including Retin-A, Benzyl peroxide, glycolic acid and astringents on the treated areas for 3 days.