How does a laser work?
The word LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by
the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Medical lasers use an intense beam of light to
gently remove unwanted, damaged, or diseased cells without harming the surrounding
healthy cells. The laser's energy may be delivered as a continuous wave of light or in
pulses, depending on the treatment and the type of laser used.
What is a vascular lesion?
Skin blemishes due to abnormal blood vessels located
directly under your skin's surface that give the skin a red color are called vascular
lesions. Port Wine stains, strawberry hemangiomas and spider veins (telangiectasias)
are all forms of vascular lesions.
What is a pigmented lesion?
Pigmented lesions are caused by a proliferation of
melanocytes in the skin. Melanocytes are the cells that manufacture melanin, which
is the dark pigment in skin. Most of us have some form of pigmented lesion. They
include brown age spots (lentigines), freckles (ephileds), and moles (nevi). Lesions
without color are called non-pigmented lesions. They include warts and skin tags.
Are laser treatments safe?
Lasers have been used successfully in hundreds of
thousands of treatments. Laser treatments performed properly, by a trained physician,
are safe and effective. There are many benefits to laser surgery including little
if any pain, no needles for most patients, less bruising and swelling and once
removed, lesions do not return.
Do treatments for skin lesions hurt?
Some patients say they feel a slight sting, like the
snap of a rubber band on the skin, followed by the feeling of sunburn. Many
treatments do not require anesthetics. However, some patients feel more comfortable
with a local numbing agent like ice or an anesthetic cream. For others, a local
anesthetic injection may be beneficial.
What other skin conditions can lasers treat?
Other skin conditions treated with lasers include:
aging and sun-damaged skin, tattoos, moles, warts, skin tags, stretch marks,
acne and hypertrophic scars.
How many treatments are required?
This depends on the size, location, depth and color
of your lesion. Spider veins on the face and age spots generally do well with one
or two treatments, while darker or deeper birthmarks may require additional
treatments. Port Wine stains and hemangiomas usually experience satisfactory results
from laser treatments, however as many as six to eight treatment sessions may be
required. Treatments should be placed 4 to 8 weeks apart to allow your body to remove
the maximum amount of pigment cells. You will continue to see a lightening of your
lesion after each treatment as your body disposes of the pigment cells.
What results can you expect?
Most patients will see improvement in their vascular
and pigmented lesions. The improvement can be quite dramatic. However, as with any
surgical procedure, there is always a possibility that only minor changes will
occur and in rare cases there is no response.
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