With its two complementary laser wavelengths, Nd:YAG and Er:YAG, the versatile Fotona laser has chameleon-like capabilities, providing treatment options for everything from dermatology to gynecology >>.
At Rejuvenation, we use the Nd:YAG wavelength for Fotona treatments for facial veins and vascular lesions. This state-of-the-art treatment uses thermal energy to penetrate deep into the skin to selectively target the deep-lying veins in the skin structure, eliminating those veins with minimal discomfort and no downtime for patients.
Fotona’s laser system uses the power of heat to eliminate your problematic veins. During your vein treatment, Nd:YAG lasers penetrate your skin and target oxyhemoglobin, the dominant protein in red blood cells. When your visible veins and vascular lesions absorb the laser energy, they are eventually destroyed because of the heat. As this occurs, other healthy veins supply blood to the treated area and the body’s immune system clears away dead tissue, just like with a bruise
Because the Fotona laser targets underlying vascular feeding system, the results of treatment are long-lasting, even permanent. A single treatment session can take less than an hour, and small lesions can be eliminated in just one laser session with no down time.
The procedure starts with cleansing and prepping your skin. Next, we’ll provide you with protective eyewear and then we’ll apply the laser to the specific treatment area using the Fotona handpiece. Patients often describe the sensation as being either warm or hot and prickly.
If you’re just looking to treat a few facial veins, the treatment will last just a few minutes and you may only need one session. If we’re addressing a larger lesion or port wine stain, treatment will be longer and require multiple sessions. Talk with Dr. Kuzel during your consultation about what to expect.
Depending on your treatment, you may have no symptoms at all afterwards, or you may experience redness or swelling in the treated area. You may also notice some mild peeling or flaking of the skin in the days following the treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Kuzel or his nurse will discuss what you to expect after your treatment.
Prior to your appointment, it's important to avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least two weeks. Sun exposure can make the skin more sensitive to the laser, increasing the risk of side effects such as redness, blistering and hyperpigmentation. It's also recommended to avoid using retinol or other exfoliating products for several days before the treatment, as these can also make the skin more sensitive.
Be sure to inform us if you’re prone to cold sores, as the laser treatment can trigger an outbreak. In some cases, we’ll prescribe an antiviral medication to prevent this from happening.