VEINS & CAPILLARIES
BEFORE & AFTER
VEINS & CAPILLARIES
BEFORE & AFTER
Laser Vein Treatment for the Face and Body to treat a broad range of visible blood vessels from tiny spider veins or “Telangiectasia” to deep blue reticular veins quickly, safely and effectively in all skin types. Patients with port wine stains and other vascular lesions respond well to Cutera Excel V usually with just one treatment.
The Cutera Excel V system delivers pulses of light energy, which cause the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessel, which is later absorbed by your body. Blood flow will then be redirected to veins deeper below your skin’s surface, just where it should be. Patients normally resume routine activities immediately. However, it is recommended that you avoid vigorous activities such as strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?
It depends on:
The desired degree of blood vessel reduction -Hormonal status
-The area being treated
-Medications, (prednisone can increase superficial blood vessel growth)
-Typically, one or three treatments are needed for significant improvement of spider veins. Treatment can be done every 4-6 weeks on the face, and every 2-3 months on the legs. Cherry hemangiomas usually only require one or two treatments.
Some people start with the area that troubles them the most, and then when they can see the results they often return to have other areas treated.
Additional “touchup” treatments on small troublesome areas can be arranged at relatively low cost. There is no safety limit on the number of treatments a person can have. People who have been partially treated with other types of blood vessel removing laser and/or injection sclerotherapy might in some cases need a smaller number of Cutera Excel V treatments.
Am I a good candidate for laser removal of unwanted, unsightly blood vessels?
The unique design of the Cutera Excel V, and the long wavelength, allows treatment of people with all skin colors. A smaller number of treatments are needed when the skin is light colored .We do not treat patients with a fresh sunburn.
What will happen on treatment day?
Other than your regular skin care routine, there is no standard preparation for this procedure. There are no restrictions on what you may eat or drink prior to your appointment.
Please shave the areas to be treated before you come in for treatment. Excess dark hair above the surface of the skin absorbs and wastes laser energy, and reduces the amount of energy that reaches the undesired blood vessels. Excess hair above the surface of the skin also increases the chance of burning or irritating the skin
The length of the procedure itself can range from a few minutes for a few spider veins to an hour or more for very extensive blood vessels on the thighs and lower legs.
Is this treatment Uncomfortable
The laser emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band. There is no bleeding and no open wound is created. Some people find the FIRST laser treatment more uncomfortable than subsequent treatments. Maybe this is because there are more blood vessels which are destroyed during the first treatment; and perhaps also because some people are more apprehensive during the first treatment, because they are not sure of what to expect.
While some areas of the body like the nose are more sensitive than others, many patients report little or no discomfort. If there is unusual discomfort, please let us know so that we can apply more cooling or adjust the settings on the laser.
What will happen after treatment?
Redness often has faded greatly by the next day. It would not be uncommon for the skin to be slightly drier that evening and to require more moisturizing cream.
The treated blood vessels, in particular on the legs, may appear slightly more obvious or a bit darker for the next week or two, but this is seldom a major cosmetic problem. Occasionally on the legs, less frequently on the face, there can be isolated superficial bruising which generally is a nuisance and resolves within a week or two on the face, or several weeks on the legs without needing any treatment.
Why do the blood vessels sometimes look more obvious for several weeks after treatment?
After the blood vessels are treated with laser energy, they sometimes swell up slightly, and the body moves in to begin the job of removing the treated vessels.
Sometimes portions of the vessels will seal off immediately, and a bit of blood stays behind in the treated vessels, causing temporary red or purple coloration. If this happens, the blood in the vessels is usually reabsorbed along with the vessels themselves by the body over a period of several weeks to a couple of months on the legs, without needing any additional treatment.
Because the Cutera Excel V can produce a longer, gentler pulse there is much less chance of bruising compared to treatment with first and second generation lasers. Patients who have previously been treated with dye lasers are always impressed by the fact that they look good immediately after Cutera Excel V with little or no discoloration of the skin.
Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?
Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. You can return to work the same day and resume all your regular activities. To reduce the chance of uneven tanning in the treated area, you should minimize sun exposure and tanning for a week or two after treatments.
Can I be treated if I’m pregnant?
Treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or while the mother is breast-feeding.
Once treated, will my veins reappear?
We cannot treat your predisposition to develop varicose or spider veins, so new veins may reappear in the same area or in other areas within next few years. Usually a touch-up treatment to remove new veins will be needed every 1-3 years.
What causes spider & varicose veins?
Heredity, or genetic predisposition to weak vein walls and vein valves, is the main reason why varicose and spider veins develop. This means that there is a 60-80% chance that someone in your family already has vein problems. There are also contributing factors that can accelerate the progression of the disease, including pregnancy, birth control pills, lack of exercise, prolonged sitting or standing, and even obesity. The aging process increases the likelihood of varicose and spider veins.
*individual results may vary.
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
CALL 07 5599 5001
