For people with reddening (often in the face or neck area) or tiny, visible blood vessels (usually on the legs) treatment with laser/IPL is a good solution. The method is best suited for the smallest of vessels, whereas the larger ones should be removed surgically or with sclerotherapy.
About thread Veins/Reddening Removal using Non-Ablative Laser/IPL
Laser, IPL (Intense Pulsing Light) or RF (Radio Frequency) can be used to remove unwanted blood vessels (thread veins), both in the face and on the rest of the body.
Thread veins are tiny blood veins and are also known as spider veins or vessel bursts. If located in the face or on the neck, it can appear as reddening. If the blood veins are more than 2-3 mm across, they are referred to as varicose veins.
The light from the laser/IPL machine is delivered directly into the unwanted blood vessels, making the blood coagulate (clot). Tiny blood clots are then formed, killing the blood vessels, which are then absorbed by the body.
In cases of thread veins on the body - most often on the legs - the treatment will usually start with sclerosant injections in order to remove the largest blood vessels. Then the laser treatment can be used to get to the tiny blood vessels, that were not affected by sclerotherapy.
If the blood vessels have a certain size, it might be necessary to remove the largest ones surgically.
It's important to be aware, that the largest blood vessels must be removed before the smaller ones. If you remove the tiny blood vessels using laser, but leave behind the larger ones, you will often experience, that the tiny ones will reappear.
Generally on non-Ablative Skin Laser and IPL
Non ablative laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and RF (Radio Frequency/Radio Waves) make use of special filters to decide which part of the tissue that is to absorb the heat energy from the light and thereby disintegrate.
There are several different laser, IPL and RF machines available in the many different clinics out there. The manufacturers each claim that their equipment is the best, and each clinic will typically prefer a particular machine.
Here is a list of some of the different non-ablative lasers, IPL, and RF machines in use today:
- Ellipse (IPL)
- PowerLite (IPL)
- Harmony (IPL)
- Elos (IPL & RF)
- Accent (RF)
- CoolGlide (Laser)
- LightSheer (Laser)
- Diodelaser (Laser)
- Fraxel (Laser)
- Pixel (Laser)
Suitability
The treatment is best suited for the tiny, millimeter-thin blood vessels (thread veins). For larger blood vessels (varicose veins) you can use a sclerosant injection or have the largest vessels removed surgically.
Fit and healthy people over the age of 18 are suited for treatment with laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), and RF (Radio Frequency).
The procedure
The doctor uses a "light pistol" with a specific filter, so that the light can be adjusted to the pigmentation of the blood. The doctor then places the pistol over the thread veins (small blood vessels) to be removed. The light pistol then shoots impulses of light down through the skin and down into the burst vessels.
The blood absorbs the light's energy, making it coagulate, creating tiny blood clots in the unwanted veins. The unwanted veins then die and become absorbed by the body.
Prior to the treatment, the treatment provider should gather information on allergies that the patient might have, the patient's use of medicine, former skin problems or infections, sun exposure, and tendency of forming hypertrophic scars or keloids.
In some cases, a cooling gel is applied onto the area to be treated.Anaesthesia
The treatment is most often performed without the use of anaesthetics, and done on an outpatient basis. In some cases, a locally sedative gel can be applied onto the area to be treated.
The treatment can cause anywhere from mild tickling to moderate pain, depending on the area and type of tissue that is treated.
Side-effects
After the treatment, the skin might go red and break out. This will quickly fade, though.
After the treatment the patient will be left feeling sunburnt. This will usually go away after an hour or so. Some may experience itching.
In some cases, the skin will be reddish or bronze coloured 5-7 days after the treatment. Minimal swellings might occur, but these will wear off within 2-3 days.
Risk of complications
Possible complications with the non-ablative laser and IPL treatment are long lasting reddening of the skin, wound formation, swelling, blistering, pigmentation changes with dark, light, or white colouring of the skin, infection with bacteria, virus or fungus, and scar tissue formation.
Complications after treatments with these non ablative lasers and IPL/RF are very rare, though.
Healing and recovery
After the treatment, the patient will be able to return to normal activities. It is strongly advised to avoid direct sunlight during the first 2-3 days after the treatment.
Duration of the result
A noticeable cosmetic improvement is usually achieved after 1-2 treatments of the area. New veins may occur, and a follow-up treatment may be necessary with time, in order to preserve the result.