Fotona Laser Vascular Therapy

What is Fotona Laser Vessel Therapy ?

Laser treatment is among the most popular procedures for removal of many types of vascular lesions including facial telangiectasia, spider veins on the legs, cherry angiomas, hemangiomas as well as vascular malformations such as port wine stains and venous lakes.

Why have laser vessel therapy?

Our Nd:YAG laser is highly attracted to haemoglobin in the blood vessels making it the ideal treatment option. Using heat and light, our laser delivers a photothermal effect to the vessels, coagulating the blood in the treated area. By creating a small clot in the vessel, the blood flow is redirected to deeper vessels located below the skins surface. The body’s lymphatic system and immune cells then work the clear the clot over the coming weeks and shut down the superficial vessels. This process is a very safe and effective way to treat a range of vascular conditions.

What types of vessels can be treated?

TheFotonaLaser can treat veins on all parts of the body. It is suitable to treat a myriad of vascular concerns including:

• Facial veins (telangiectasia) – commonly present on the nose and face as fine, red blood vessels which are visible to the naked eye
• Cherry angioma – also known as Campbell De Morgans. Cherry angiomas very common and appear as tiny cherry red domes. Early angiomas are flat and tend to increase in size and number as we age.
• Spider veins on the legs – can be blue, purple or red in colour and appear in the form of thin lines, webs or branches.
• Port wine stain – a form of birthmark which appears as a pink to red flat patch which has well-defined edges
• Venous lake – commonly seen on the lower lip, it appears as a bluish soft lesion due to vascular dilation

Varicose veins are not suitable for laser treatment and are better suited to sclerotherapy.

A thorough consultation and evaluation with a clinician will help you to determine which vessels are suitable for laser therapy and determine if this treatment is suitable for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients find that one or two treatments are sufficient. However, the number of treatments required is dependent on the following factors:

• Number of vessels,
• Colour of the vessels,
• Size of the vessels, and
• Area of the vessels.

Most patients find that the majority of vessels treated show significant improvement within two to six weeks post treatment. However, your final results may not be clear for several months. Over time, it is possible for new vessels to appear. These vessels are also able to be treated with laser.

Does the treatment hurt?

Although most patients do experience a mild stinging sensation when the laser energy is delivered to the vessel, we do use a cooling system to make the treatment much more comfortable and as a way to protect the epidermis and improve patient tolerance.

The treatment does not require the use of any topical anaesthetic.

What happens after the treatment?

Following your treatment, you may experience mild redness, localised swelling or bruising to the area and in rare cases, blistering may occur. This typically lasts for less than 24 hours. The vessel may turn a grey or purplish colour which may persist for a couple of weeks while the coagulation clears with the help of your lymphatic and immune system.

Patients who have leg vein treatments are advised to wear compression or support stockings for a short period of time following their treatment.

Are there any restrictions on my activity after the treatment?

It is recommended that patients avoid any vigorous exercise for the first 24 hours post treatment. The use of sunscreen is highly recommended on any areas treated as these areas will be more sensitive to sunlight. It is also advised that you avoid any prolonged sun exposure or fake tan use for the weeks leading up to your treatment.

Your clinician will be able to provide you with thorough aftercare advice.