Vascular therapy

Our laser can improve a variety of unwanted vascular concerns:

• Redness associated with rosacea, sun damage, scars and acne
• Telangiectasias (small broken blood vessels)
• Leg veins
• Port-wine stains (a type of red birthmark)
• Cherry angiomas
• Spider naevi

Vascular lasers treat conditions associated with broken or abnormal blood vessels by targeting haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. The machine emits a unique, high-power laser beam that is absorbed by blood vessels in the treatment area without affecting the surrounding tissues. As the laser delivers pulses of light energy to the vessels, the heat generated by the treatment destroys the vessel. This reduces blood flow to the area and consequently diminishes the visual impact of redness. As the energy is applied, enlarged blood vessels will collapse and disappear. Several seconds later, this will be replaced with a slight redness which will fade within a few days.

With thread vein removal, the results can be immediate. In the two weeks following your treatment, you should continue to see improvements in the treated area. New vessels may occur in the future; this can be caused by factors such as sun exposure and genetics.

Depending on the severity of the problem, you may only need one treatment. However, if you have a complex network of facial veins, you may require several treatments. 

We would normally recommend approximately two to four weeks between treatments to give the broken-down vein time to absorb and to let us fully assess the outcomes from each treatment.

During your initial consultation, we will carefully analyse your facial veins and outline what we feel will be the best treatment plan for you.

Before a vascular laser treatment, please:

• Avoid sun tanning and self-tanning products for four weeks
• Do not have any treatments, such as waxing, that could irritate your skin for one to two weeks
• Cease use of skincare products with active ingredients such as vitamin A and AHA for two days
• Notify your treating clinician if you have a history of cold sores, as you may require an anti-viral prescription before treatment with the vascular laser

We recommend having a skin care consultation to learn how you can optimise skin care prior to having laser treatment to ensure optimal, longer-lasting results.

You will put on protective eyewear and your clinician will apply a gliding gel to the treatment area to maximise the contact between the laser plate and your skin. No topical or local anaesthesia is required during the procedure. Instead, the laser uses a skin contact cooling mechanism to minimise discomfort and protect your skin during treatment. Your clinician will pass the handpiece over the affected areas in sections, using the laser’s two wavelengths to treat the skin at different levels until the abnormal vessels diminish. Treatment with the vascular laser typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes

Treatment  involves minimal discomfort. Patients often liken the feeling of the laser to the sensation of a rubber band flicking against the skin.

There may be an initial period of redness and swelling, but for a majority of patients it does not interfere with their comfort resuming daily activities. Post-treatment redness can be camouflaged with makeup.

As with any treatment, there is the possibility of developing side effects after use of the vascular laser.

• Redness and swelling are the most common side effects; these generally resolve within one to four days
• Bruising may occur and typically resolves within five days
• In rare cases, patients can experience blistering or pigmentary changes

We will discuss all side effects associated with the vascular laser and ways to minimise them before treatment. Side effects are substantially reduced in the hands of an experienced laser practitioner.

After treatment with the vascular laser, we advise you to:

• Avoid sun exposure and apply a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen to prevent further sun damage
• Avoid hot environments, such as saunas or hot tubs, for one to two days
• Avoid products containing irritants (e.g. vitamin A, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid) for one week after treatment
• Sleep with your head on a couple of pillows to reduce facial swelling if treated on the face
• See your dermatologist for a short-term prescription to alleviate swelling if your swelling is significant