Removal of benign skin alterations
To treat skin areas that became red or bluish-red due to changes at the region of the smallest blood
vessels, we recommend the procedure involving the use of a laser system, which owing to the depth of the
light energy penetration and the quantity of energy generated per time unit, enables the optimal results
to be expected.
Principle of laser action
A direct target for laser energy is erythrocyte hemoglobin in the blood vessels piercing, to a greater or
smaller extent, the skin surface at the area of pathologic changes. Laser light is directed purposely and
under control into the skin layer containing the vessels to be treated. Due to hemoglobin heating to a
high temperature, the blood coagulates, and the vessel walls stick together. Darkening of the treated area
is the sign allowing a doctor to determine the density of energy being conducted. This darkening is of a
temporary character and resolves within the next 2 weeks.
Options according to your wishes:
- Removal of small vascular branches on the legs;
- Removal of the smallest vessels on the face (couperose) or on the body (telangiectasia);
- Treatment of hemangiomas;
- Whitening the reddened scars;
- Treatment of the red nevi (birthmarks).
Performing the procedure
Skin is subject to the action of ultra-short highly intensive laser pulse. Patient sensitivity to
laser pulse action is different. Moreover, the blood vessels are located at different depths. To achieve
optimal result with minimal complications, a doctor performing the procedure first selects laser
parameters appropriate for your case, by increasing the density of energy being conducted. It is often
appears necessary to perform several procedures with certain time intervals.
In most cases there is no necessity to relieve pain, because the procedure is perceived just as a needle
prick. Rarely (mostly in infants,) pain is eliminated via narcosis.
What side effects and complications may arise?
As with sunburn (erythema), skin reddens immediately after laser treatment for not a long time. To
minimize this “burn”, some laser systems provide for skin cooling just during the treatment,
using water or cooling spray. Then the treated skin area slightly swells, but edema resolves in a few
days.
Even if the laser parameters are set very thoroughly, it is hardly possible to absolutely rule out the
possibility of small scars formation: these are formed quite rarely and manifest themselves due to the
skin color change into reddish or brownish.
On a very sensitive skin vesicles may appear, subsequently replaced with crusts transforming into scars.
In patients with congenital predisposition to scar hypertrophy (keloid formation) laser treatment may
activate this process or promote keloid formation.
Since skin pigment reacts to laser energy and destructs under its action, in about 10% of patients a
temporary and in less than 1% a long-term pigmentation change (skin darkening or whitening) may be
expected. The darker is the skin (dark skin type or sun tanning/solarium radiation) by the moment of
treatment, the higher is the risk of pigmentation disorder.
Your personal risk/risk to your child, associated with the consequences and side effects will be
discussed with you before the procedure.
The thinner is the vessel, the closer it is located to the skin surface and the lower is the pressure in
this vessel, the higher are the prospects of a successful laser therapy. However, the result also depends
on the individual skin type: for treating white skin with low pigment content, it is possible to use
without risk more intensive laser pulses.
Small hemangiomas may often be removed for long with a single procedure. Red birthmarks (N. flammeus)
require further treatments during a long time. The earlier this takes place, the higher are expectations
for a successful result. That is why now this procedure is performed even for treating babies.
Small face vessels (couperose, telangiectasia) yield to treatment predominantly well, while a success of
eliminating small veins, particularly at the shin region, is often just moderate.
Before the procedure
It is desirable to avoid excessive UV-irradiation or be protected against it with special sun-blocking
agents.
After the procedure
In case of burning, a cooling package may be applied to the treated area.
Do not traumatize the skin (do not scratch or pinch the skin)!
In case of crust formation, do not remove the crusts!
Should any questions arise regarding the procedure, consult your attending doctor and do not undertake
anything without his/her recommendations.
Avoid excessive exposure to heat or cold.
Do not take sun baths or attend solarium during a month.
If necessary, use sun-protection agent with protection degree no less than 25 units.
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