Blood Vessel Laser

What are lasers used for?

Lasers can be used to reduce or eliminate unsightly small veins and capillaries that appear on the skin, diverting the blood deeper into the skin, where it is not so visible from the surface.  The most common treatment is for ‘broken’ capillaries in the facial area. These capillaries are not broken at all; they are just enlarged as a result of ageing, sun damage or local irritation.

How do lasers work?

Blood vessel lasers commonly emit light at the 532nm wavelength.  This is the wavelength where the ‘red’ colour of the blood absorbs most of the laser energy and results in shrinkage of the vessel.  The blood vessels are ‘traced’ with the laser hand-piece to minimize exposure of the surrounding skin.  Blood vessel Laser has been performed for many years and is a reliable and safe treatment.  It has fewer risks than the old ‘needling’ techniques.  With laser, no needles are used, only high-energy light.

How many treatments are required?

Commonly, 3-6 treatments are needed, spaced at 4-6 weekly intervals, although it depends on the individual and the type of blood vessel treated.

What are the possible side effects?

Common side effects include:

• Redness/Swelling – lasting from a few hours to a day or so
• Small Crusts or Scabs – again, these resolve in a few days, by themselves.

The majority of patients experience only transient redness.

Less common side effects

• Small Blisters – in a few spots that resolve in a few days, usually in combination with some mild dryness or flakiness.
• Color Changes – rarely, in dark skinned people or people prone to pigmentation, slight darkening or lightening of the skin can occur, but is rarely permanent and often resolves in a few weeks to months. This is a side effect that can occur in any laser therapy, and steps are taken to minimise the risks with every patient.
• Rarely, minor scarring – usually less noticeable than the blood vessel that was there previously.

A Doctor’s examination is required before any Laser treatment, and this type of Laser treatment is only done by Doctors trained in Laser work.  You will be given an Informed Consent form to sign before the procedure, and an After Treatment Skin Care Sheet to take home.