Laser treatment is designed to emit a narrow, high intensity beam of light. There are many types of lasers used in Medicine-the laser we use at Odyssey is a Copper Bromide laser. Lasers can be designed to emit only one or several wavelengths (or colours) of light.
This means that the energy can be directed at something red in the skin (such as tiny blood vessels) that absorb yellow light, or something brown (age spots, sun spots, moles or pigmented warts) that absorb green light.
The unwanted cells can be damaged, but the normal skin cells are intact. This results in little discomfort and downtime plus rapid healing and minimal risk of scarring.
Many people, due to a combination of heredity, sun exposure, or medical conditions such as Rosacea have fine veins (also known as broken capillaries) or red marks (‘cherry’ spots) on their face, nose or chest.
The yellow light from the laser is absorbed by these veins damaging them whilst leaving surrounding skin cells intact. The veins then gradually fade as the body converts them to scar tissue.
The amount of treatment required to manage your condition will be discussed prior to the procedure. Most facial veins can be treated in 1 session of 20-30 minutes. A second treatment, 6-8 weeks later, may be required if they are large or extensive. This treatment is tolerated well without the need for anaesthetic. Some temporary redness of the skin may follow, but normal activities can be resumed immediately.