Topics discussed:
- Facial spider veins
- Leg veins
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Warts
- Port-wine stain birthmarks
- Hemangioma birthmarks
Spider Vein Treatment: Facial
Spider veins (telangectasias) are a common development from sun damage and from aging. Certain medical conditions and habits (smoking, alcohol) can also promote their development. They are cosmetically undesirable and can make the face appear older, flushed, or blemished. Sun and heat can make them more prominent.
There are a variety of treatments for facial spider veins that can be effective. Before treatment your skin will be carefully examined. Sometimes small skin cancers are first seen by small blood vessels. If you have any suspicious areas, they will be removed by biopsy. This is a simple and quick office procedure.
Spider veins can be treated with electrosurgery. This is applying an electrical "spark" through a tiny needle electrode to coagulate the tiny spider vein from its center. This is quick and only mildly painful. It is a good method if there is only one or very few small spider veins. A small crusting sore follows and heals quickly with good results.
Lasers using light that is strongly absorbed by hemoglobin in spider veins is an excellent alternative for treatment. No needle is required. Pulses of light quickly coagulate the spider veins. Some crusting can occur on the surface of the skin if the KTP laser is used (a green light laser). Occasionally a second treatment is needed for facial spider veins. The treatment is fast and simple. The discomfort is mild. No anesthetic is usually needed.
More extensive spider veins and other vascular blemishes may be more effectively treated with the pulsed-dye laser. This is an extremely versatile and effective laser for blood vessels. The main side effect is purpura: a bruised discoloration lasting one to two weeks. It does not break the skin.
Leg spider veins and varicosities
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Spider veins on the legs can occur as a result of varicose veins, enlarged and twisting superficial veins in the legs. Varicose veins can be genetic or due to a mechanical blockage of the deeper veins. Quite often the enlarged veins are due to incompetent venous valves, which subject the small superficial veins to greater pressure than they can handle. Intermediate sized "feeder" veins called reticular veins spread this pressure to the smallest veins. When these dilate and appear as a red or bluish network they are also known as spider veins
The vascular lasers are useful in treating spider veins on the leg. This includes the KTP laser and the pulsed-dye laser. But lasers are not very effective on the larger reticular veins which "feed" the networks of spider veins. The best approach is to combine sclerotherapy (injection therapy) of the reticular veins with laser treatment of the matted capillary networks and spider veins. Sometimes surgical vein stripping is needed to eliminate the very large varicose veins from incompetent valves.
Laser Medical Skin Center offers combined treatment with sclerotherapy of reticular veins and laser treatments. Or you may see another physician for surgery or injection and we will be pleased to provide laser treatment for any residual small vessels.
To find a vein specialist near you, visit:
VEINSonline.com
The Role of Lasers in the Treatment of Leg Veins
Other medical conditions
In addition to spider veins the pulsed-dye laser is effective on rosacea. This is a common skin disease, which often causes bright red cheeks and extensive spider veins as well as changes in sebaceous glands. Psoriasis is another condition that can often be brought into a clinical remission with the pulsed-dye laser.
The "red neck" appearance from sun damage is known as poikiloderma. This is due to an overgrowth of tiny capillary blood vessels. Therefore it is also responsive to treatment with the pulsed-dye laser.
Warts on the skin can be effectively treated by a variety of techniques. When they occur in difficult locations such as under toenails or fingernails or on the soles of the feet, treatment can be difficult. The pulsed-dye laser is useful in treating these difficult warts. It targets the blood vessels that feed the wart from underneath. Cut off from its blood supply, the wart is eliminated.
Vascular birthmarks
Red birthmarks such as "port wine stain" and strawberry marks and hemangiomas can be effectively and safely treated with the pulsed dye laser. The laser is so safe that it is used for port wine stains even in infants. Hemangiomas will often diminish on their own in time. So they are only treated if they are cosmetically detrimental to the child or if they interfere with normal functioning. Several treatments are expected in treating birthmarks. They are spaced several weeks apart. Topical anesthetic is usually sufficient for comfort. For the treatment of infants and children, Dr. Van Camp would be pleased to work with your pediatrician in planning therapy. |
