Many people are uncomfortable with unsightly vascular (red) lesions. With the means of a new laser treatment there is no reason to live with this problem. Young children or infants can be treated before they’re subject to the psychological as well as physical blemishes that may be associated with vascular lesions.
The Candela laser is most commonly used for treatment of telangiectasias or spider veins, Port Wine Stain birthmarks, and strawberry hemangiomas. What all these conditions have in common is that they are made up of abnormal blood vessels in the skin. They differ in severity. Telangiectasias usually involve single vessels and are often harmless. Port Wine Stains, on the other hand, tend to grow with the patient, darken in color, and will never go away if left unteated. Hemangiomas grow very rapidly after birth, but often go away with time. Some, however, may impair the function of another organ and should be treated before they are allowed to advance to his stage.
The laser is safer and more effective because if its’ ability to selectively treat the blood vessels of a vascular lesion without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue. Thus, it will eliminate many lesions while leaving the surrounding skin and pigment intact. The laser is recommended for the treatment of infants as young as a few weeks old.
The laser treatments vary from patient to patient depending on the type of lesion, size of the affected area, the color of the skin and the depth to which these abnormal vessels extend beneath the skin’s surface.
Initially your surgeon will probably test your skin reaction to the laser to determine the most effective treatment. Because the laser operates at a wavelength that is potentially harmful to the eye, you will be asked to wear some form of eye protection consisting of an opaque covering or goggles.
Treatment consists of placing a small handpiece or “wand” against the surface of the skin and activating the laser. The laser energy is delivered in a pulse which many patients describe as similar to the snapping of a small rubber band against their skin. Most patients do not require anesthesia. In some cases, however, depending upon the nature of the lesion and the patient’s age, the physician may elect to use some form of anesthesia.
Some lesions, like small spider veins will require only a few pulses, while others, like Port Wine Stains, will require many more. Larger lesions will require retreatment, necessitating multiple patient visits.
Immediately following treatment, some patients find the application of an ice pack or aloe vera gel to be soothing to the treated area. Care is taken in the first few days following treatment to avoid scrubbing the area and abrasive skin cleansers should be avoided. A bandage or patch may be recommended in preventing abrasion of the treated area.
Unlike other methods of treatment the laser gently reduces scarring or changes in skin texture. You will, however, experience some temporary discoloration of the skin around the treatment site. The blue-gray discoloration is called purpura and may last from seven to ten days, depending on your skin type, the site treated and the size of the treated area. Some patients may also experience a temporary brown discoloration of the skin for a few months following the treatment. It is also important that you follow the recommendations of your surgeon in taking proper care of your skin after laser treatment.
Optimal results are achieved with the laser only if you are not sun tanned. It is also recommended that you avoid exposing the treated area to the sun or cover with a sun block that is approved by your physician. Of course, this area may be exposed to the sun when your course of treatment is complete.
Because pigment is often closer to the surface of the skin than blood vessels of a lesion, a lot of pigment, such as in “tanned” or deeply pigment skin, may act as a barrier to prevent the laser light from reaching the lesion. Therefore the laser is most effective in lighter skin types. Patient’s with tanned or darker skin types will achieve less satisfactory results from this form of treatment.
The Candela laser is a new method for the treatment of birthmarks, small facial veins and other benign lesions of the skin that is safe and effective.