OTHER LASERS
The term LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification Simulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers convert electrical energy into light energy for a variety of purposes. Dermatologists have used lasers since the 1960s for treatment of various skin conditions. In recent years there have been significant advances in laser research and development that can offer physicians and patients significant advantages over other treatment options.
In addition to the Hair Removal and CO2 Resurfacing Lasers the physicians at Neda use lasers to treat a vascular lesions and blood vessel disorders, fine lines, pigmented lesions, warts, stretch marks and tattoos.
LASERS FOR TATTOOS AND PIGMENTED LESIONS
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE TREATED BY VASCULAR LESION
LASERS?
Vascular Lesion Lasers treat blood vessel abnormalities
that can appear in a variety of forms. They can be as mild as spider veins
or as severe as port wine stains and hemangiomas that cause considerable
psychological distress. However, all vascular lesions are essentially
enlarged, abnormal blood vessels. The differences are in their severity.
- TELANGIECTASIAS—Telangiectasias are enlarged blood vessels, which can occur anywhere on the skin. These can be a result of trauma, hormones, sun damage, or some other underlying medical problem. In most cases, the actual cause is not known. Most telangiectasias can be removed in a single treatment, though a residual area may still be faintly present.
- PORT WINE STAINS—A port wine stain is an overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin, which is present at birth. If you were to look under the microscope at the skin of a port wine stain, you would find many more blood vessels and larger blood vessels than in normal skin. The cause of a port wine stain is not known.
- HEMANGIOMAS—Hemangiomas are vascular malformations that are usually raised and red. Hemangiomas are often present at birth, but not always. Most of these lesions are superficial, but sometimes they can spread, causing considerable emotional distress. Hemangiomas are another blood vessel abnormality in which the cause is not known.
- WARTS—Pulsed Dye Lasers are also used to treat persistent warts.
- STRETCH MARKS—Vascular Lesion Lasers are occasionally used to treat stretch marks. However, the results can be unpredictable. When purple or red stretch marks are treated they will turn white, but they do not disappear. When white or mature stretch marks are treated, they generally do not respond.
HOW DO VASCULAR LESION LASERS WORK?
These lasers are safe and effective because they
target the underlying blood vessel. The vessel is absorbed and destroyed,
while the surrounding skin is left intact. This is possible because the
characteristics of the laser were specifically designed for these lesions.
The wave length of light (586 nanometers), corresponds to the absorption
of the abnormal blood vessel and because the laser light is delivered
so quickly, there is almost no chance of destruction or scarring of the
surrounding skin.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PROBLEM WILL RESPOND TO
LASER TREATMENT?
These lasers are highly safe and effective for
the treatment of vascular growths, hemangiomas, port wine stains and telangiectasias
on all areas of the body. Most telangiectasias will respond adequately
with a single treatment. However, lesions located on the lower legs take
a longer time to respond and multiple treatments are often necessary.
WILL AN ENTIRE BIRTHMARK BE REMOVED WITH ONE
TREATMENT?
This is only rarely the case. Most patients require
a minimum of three treatments to get the degree of lightening that they
desire. The lesion can be treated and re-treated until the desired degree
of lightening has been obtained. A two to four month period is usually
required before going back to re-treat the same area; however, adjacent
areas can be treated sooner.
IS IT PAINFUL?
Most patients do not require anesthesia. There
is mild stinging or burning sensation during the procedure. Many people
state that the feeling is similar to "plucking a hair" or "snapping
an elastic." Children with larger lesions may require a topical anesthetic.
WHAT DOES THE SKIN LOOK LIKE FOLLOWING TREATMENT?
Some vascular lasers are called Pulse Dye Lasers.
When treated with a PDL the skin immediately turns gray to purple in color
(bruising or purpurea) usually in a quarter inch circle where the laser
beam focused on the skin. This color resolves over one to two weeks, and
is most intense in the first 2 to 4 days. Most patients do not require
any post-treatment wound care, although occasionally Bacitracin will be
applied twice daily to the skin. Make-up can be worn immediately after
the procedure, if care is taken in its removal.
Recently, however, Vascular Lesion Lasers have been developed that leave
no bruising or purpurea. These machines treat the lesions as safely and
effectively as the Pulsed Dye Lasers, without localized bruising. At Neda
we offer both types of lasers.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THIS PROCEDURE?
The risk of scarring is quite small and is believed
to be less than 1%. The most common side effect is a transient brownish
color of the skin, which is the result of the destruction of the blood
vessels.
ARE THERE ANY PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS?
Aspirin and aspirin-containing products, including
Advil, Motrin and similar pain relievers, should be avoided for one week
prior to laser treatment. Avoid excessive alcohol. Patients taking anticoagulants
or have clotting problems, should let their doctor know. Excessive sun
exposure or tanning two weeks prior to the treatment should be avoided.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST?
Treatment costs vary from $200 for a small localized
area to $1,000 or more for large vascular lesions.
DOES INSURANCE REIMBURSE FOR THESE PROCEDURES?
The answer to this depends upon your insurance
policy. This office does not consider the treatment of a port wine stain
to be cosmetic, and we convey this information, if necessary to the insurance
company. Treatment of telangiectasias is, however, considered cosmetic.
The cost should be discussed with your physician prior to the procedure
and payment is expected at the time of service.
LASERS FOR TATTOOS AND PIGMENTED LESIONS
The Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers are specifically
designed to treat tattoos and pigmented lesions (commonly known as sun
or age spots) by significantly lightening or removing them completely.
HOW DO THESE LASERS WORK?
The laser emits a beam of light that gets absorbed
by the ink or the pigment in a lesion. With tattoos the ink particles
absorb the laser's energy, break up into fragments and then dissolve.
The laser leaves the surrounding skin in tact. This is possible because
the characteristics of the laser are specifically designed for the destruction
of tattoos and pigmented lesions. These characteristics are the wavelength
of light (1064 and 532 nm), which corresponds to the absorption of the
pigments. The duration of each laser beam pulse is that of only 10 nanoseconds
(10 x 10 seconds).
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED? WILL IT BE SUCCESSFUL?
With tattoos, the number of treatments depends
on the color of the ink(s), its age, size and location, as well as the
depth of the ink in the skin. Usually at least six treatments with a period
of six weeks in between is required. Amateur tattoos respond better than
those that are professionally applied, because professional tattoo artists
tend to use multiple colors. They usually improve considerably but do
not always respond completely.
Pigmented lesions generally can be removed in
one to two treatments.
IS IT PAINFUL?
The sensation is often compared to a series of
rubber band snaps to the skin. Most people tolerate the slight discomfort
easily. Patients with low pain tolerance levels can have a topical anesthetic
applied.
WHAT DOES THE SKIN LOOK LIKE FOLLOWING TREATMENT?
The skin will immediately have a white discoloration.
This resolves over 5-10 minutes. The area surrounding the tattoo will
be red. Some patients experience blisters after 1-2 days with some swelling.
The darker the natural skin color, the more likely this is to happen.
The area will develop a crust or scab for 1-2 weeks with accompanying
loss of pigment. These reactions are normal. The treated areas will continue
to lighten during the healing period between treatments.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS?
Scarring is extremely rare with these lasers, occurring
in far less than one percent of patients.
HOW MUCH DO THE TREATMENTS COST?
Costs vary from $200 to $500 per treatment depending
on the size and numbers of areas treated.
DOES INSURANCE REIMBURSE FOR THESE PROCEDURES?
No. These are cosmetic procedures and insurance
companies only reimburse for services that are considered medically necessary.
WHAT IS THE SMOOTHBEAM LASER? WHAT DOES IT TREAT?
The Smooth Beam Laser is a new, non-invasive way
to treat fine lines and superficial wrinkles and to renew the skin. As
skin ages the collagen loses its elasticity, resulting in changes in its
tone and texture. There are a number of factors that can contribute to
a loss of collagen, including: sun damage, smoking, hormonal changes and
alcohol consumption. Aging itself plays a large role. Collagen decreases
as we age, especially after the age of 40. Exposure to the sun can accelerate
this process. When collagen is damaged and content is lost, the collagen
fibers have difficulty supporting the upper layers of the skin, resulting
in the formation of wrinkles.
The Smooth Beam is a treatment that can help postpone more aggressive treatment such as the CO2 Resurfacing Laser.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Using a specific wavelength of the lasers light,
the Smooth Beam works by targeting water in the upper layer of skin, which
stimulates the formation of new collagen.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SEE RESULTS?
Generally patients receive three to four treatments
for up to six months. Many patients report noticing improvements in skin
quality, tone, and texture for an overall younger looking appearance after
a series of treatments.
IS IT PAINFUL?
The treatment is non-invasive and non-ablative
and therefore does not wound the surface of the skin. Patients report
little more than a slight snapping or tingling sensation. No anesthesia
is required, although a topical anesthetic can be applied if desired.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE AFTER TREATMENT?
Unlike other laser treatments there is no redness
or damage to the skin's surface. Makeup or moisturizer may be applied
immediately after treatment and patients are able to return to their normal
activities immediately. However, based on personal goals a physician may
decide to make the treatments slightly more aggressive, which may cause
a brief period of redness. The full response from each treatment takes
about 60 to 90 days.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS?
In general, this treatment has a low risk of side
effects. More aggressive treatments might induce some temporary discoloration
or reddening of the skin. Some patients might experience pigment changes
in skin color. If this occurs, the skin will typically return to normal
pigmentation over time.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Costs range from $300 for a localized area
to $1,000 for full-face treatment.
DOES INSURNACE PAY FOR SMOOTHBEAM LASER TREATMENTS?
Smooth Beam Laser treatments are cosmetic and not
covered by insurance.
