Physicians began using the Vbeam® laser back in the 1980s to treat infants and children with port wine stains, vascular birthmarks caused by abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin.
Since then, dermatologists have utilized the Vbeam® laser to treat a range of vascular skin conditions, such as rosacea, spider veins, and angiomas, as well as acne, scars and stretchmarks.
Developed by Candela Corporation, Vbeam® uses micro-pulse technology, which distributes the energy of a laser pulse into eight very small micro-pulses, ensuring precise energy metering for safety and high efficiency. It’s also equipped with a cooling system to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.
Whether you have chronic rosacea, lingering red acne scars or just a handful of broken blood vessels on your face, these issues are probably the first thing you notice when you look in the mirror. As humans, it’s a reflex to focus on our faults. Fortunately, when it comes to vascular issues and scars, we have a tried and tested way to address them.
The Vbeam pulsed dye laser has a long history of providing effective treatment. The device sends laser pulses with a wavelength of 595 nm, which are attracted by the reddish color of red blood cells. The absorption of laser energy heats and destroys the target structures, such as dilated blood vessels. In addition, a special cooling system is used during the procedure, allowing the skin to be cooled before, during and after the laser treatment. This helps to protect the skin, minimize side effects and make the procedure more comfortable.
During the treatment, we will use a hand-held device that emits a concentrated beam of light to target the affected area. This laser works by selectively heating and destroying the targeted blood vessels while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. We’ll adjust the settings of the laser to provide optimal results for your skin type and skin condition.
Dr. Kuzel and his team will customize your Vbeam laser treatment plan to meet your individual skincare needs. The number and duration of treatments will depend on the condition and your skin type. You can typically expect 2 to 3 treatment sessions, each lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Results can last up to 14 months. Certain skin conditions can even be permanently treated with the V-Beam laser.
Depending on the nature of your treatment, you may experience some redness, swelling and bruising at the treatment site. Some patients report a strong heat sensation for two to three hours after treatment. You can minimize this sensation and swelling by applying cold compresses to the treatment area.
If you have broken capillaries, you can expect them to disappear or become much smaller instantly. As for patients with rosacea, you will look red after the treatment which will take a few hours to subside. You will start to see improvement in every treatment.
Before your visit, you should stop taking all NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as aspirin and herbal supplements, as well as alcohol a few days prior. Be sure to avoid sun exposure and self-tanners for at least two weeks.
Lasers can reactivate cold sores. If you’re prone to getting cold sores, talk with Dr. Kuzel about an antiviral medication to use before and after your treatment to prevent an outbreak.