Vascular Laser Therapy in Texas & Louisiana
At Sanova Dermatology, we pride ourselves on delivering top-tier skin care through a combination of experience, education, and advanced technology. Our team of highly experienced physicians are dedicated to providing Vascular Laser Therapy. We have convenient locations across Texas, including Houston, Pflugerville, Austin, Bee Cave, and Dripping Springs. We also serve Louisiana with locations in Metairie, Old Metairie, Uptown New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
How does Vbeam® Perfecta Pulse Dye Laser surgery work?
The yellow laser light in the Pulse Dye laser is specifically absorbed by red chromophores – the red color components – in the skin. The most prominent red chromophore is blood in blood vessels. The laser light specifically heats the red blood vessel and destroys them. In addition, the Vbeam® Perfecta Pulse Dye Laser system at Sanova Dermatology is equipped with a dynamic cooling system, that delivers a cold burst to the upper layers of the skin literally miniseconds before the laser fires. This allows only the targeted blood vessels to be treated, while leaving the surrounding healthy skin tissue intact and unharmed.
What to Expect
Vbeam® Perfecta treatments are performed on an outpatient basis, during a simple visit to the clinic. First, the physician will examine your skin and determine the optimal treatment for your specific skin concern. They will set up an individualized treatment regimen for you. Once a plan is in place, the physician and staff will make sure you are comfortable and all your questions have been answered. You will be given goggles or protective eyewear to put on, and then the treatment can begin.
Topical numbing medication is sometimes used but is usually not required. The laser’s dynamic cooling method significantly decreases any pain or discomfort associated with the therapy, almost always eliminating the need. A series of treatments are often required to effectively treat vascular conditions, with some lesions being more responsive than others. In general, between one and three treatments are typically required, with some conditions requiring additional treatments. While the therapy is extremely effective, some conditions will not respond completely, and recurrences can occur.
Skin Conditions Treated with the Vbeam® Perfecta
The majority of vascular lesions on the skin respond exceedingly well to Pulse Dye Laser therapy. Vascular lesions include: port wine stains, cherry angiomas, spider angiomas, hemangiomas including infantile hemangiomas, and telangiectasias or broken blood vessels in the skin. Vbeam® Perfecta is sometimes used as an alternative or in combination with sclerotherapy for the treatment of spider veins and varicose veins on the legs or other areas of the body.
In addition, rosacea, sun damage and sun spots, poikiloderma, and even warts can be treated with this laser. The Vbeam® Perfecta can also be used to treat scars, keloids, hypertrophic scarring, burns, striae and stretch marks, and even bruising in the skin. For example, it has been successfully used to treat surgical scars and persistent redness after Mohs surgery, and bruising after BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dermal Filler injections.
Adverse Effects
There are very few if any side effects of Vbeam® Perfecta laser therapy. Because the laser targets blood vessels, it is possible to get a bruise after treatment. If bruising does occur it is temporary and typically resolves within a few days to 2 weeks. While scarring has been reported, it is extremely rare with this treatment. Temporary changes in the skin’s pigment can be observed and typically resolves after a few weeks.
It is extremely important that you do not have a tan when undergoing this laser treatment. The dark tan color in the skin can interfere with the lasers’ target and activity. At Sanova Dermatology, we recommend all patients use sunscreen for 2-4 weeks prior to undergoing laser therapy.
Contact Sanova Dermatology
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