Some sufferers of rosacea may have agonised in front of the mirror about the diffuse redness and prominent blood vessels on their face. Thankfully, advances in medicine and technology have resulted in numerous treatments that can help improve the appearance of red-blotchy skin.
Among the treatments stirring up a lot of buzz is the Excel V 532nm vascular laser therapy. If you’re considering this procedure, it’s important to get a general idea of what it is, how it works, and the factors that affect its efficacy and safety. Armed with this knowledge, you can make better decisions for your skin.
What is vascular laser therapy?
The term “laser” actually started out as an acronym for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation”. It sounds like a handful, but translated into layman’s terms, it basically refers to high-intensity light produced through excitation of specific molecules. The wavelength of the light that is produced depends on what molecules are used to create them. If the wavelength is between 400 to 700nm, you’ll be able to see it as within the spectrum of visible light. There are also lasers that produce wavelengths greater than 700nm, which fall into the range of infrared light.
Laser light is very different from the light coming from your lamp. It contains large amounts of energy contained in a very narrow beam, allowing it to change the objects it’s pointed towards. Because it’s so precise, you can target it at a specific spot on skin while minimising collateral damage.
How does it work?
The goal of vascular laser therapy is to destroy the small blood vessels that have dilated so much that they are visible through the skin. We know that blood that fills it contains oxygenated hemoglobin, and we also know that oxygenated hemoglobin strongly absorbs light at around the range of 418, 542, and 577nm.
Vascular laser therapy delivers a concentrated beam of light in an absorbable wavelength into a blood vessel. The light energy is converted into heat, and that causes the destruction of the offending blood vessel. The surrounding structures are not damaged because they do not absorb the wavelength of the laser light, they just reflect it. Plus, the beam of the laser is so narrow, it can target a small area.
This is great for people diagnosed with rosacea. It can greatly reduce telangiectasia (the visible red blood vessels) and overall redness within a few sessions, depending on the depth and size of the lesions. Many people report being satisfied with the relatively quick, long-lasting, and obvious improvement in their skin.
Considerations before opting for laser therapy
By this time, you might be ready to start looking for the nearest clinic that offers vascular laser therapy. But before you do that, there are things you have to consider finding out if this is the right procedure for you.
Firstly, laser therapy is generally considered supportive to medical therapy for rosacea. In other words, a few sessions will not magically make the skin condition go away. Following a good skincare regimen, avoiding triggers, and using any prescribed treatments are just as important to managing rosacea.
Laser therapy may also have different effects on different types of skin. This may cause a reaction to skin that burns easily or is sensitive to light and heat. Those with darker skin tones should be especially careful as not all laser are suitable in such cases.
It is important to note the change is not instantaneous. There may be discomfort, increased redness, and swelling on the face a few days after the procedure. Sessions are usually spaced a few weeks apart to allow the inflammation to settle down. There is also an increased risk of sun sensitivity, so be ready to slather on the sunscreen, wear a hat, and avoid the sun as much as you can.
But the most important factor to consider is where you plan to get vascular laser treatments done. Not all lasers are the same, not all laser clinics are the same, and not everyone should be operating a laser device.
Not all lasers are the same, not all laser clinics are the same, and not everyone should be operating a laser device.
Conclusion
Rosacea can be a difficult condition to live with, but there are therapies that can help improve the appearance of the skin. With proper medical advice and research, you can get the help you need to not just look better but feel better about yourself.
Purpose of this information
The information presented on this website and in this article is for general information and example purposes only, does not contain health advice specific for users and must not be relied on for that purpose. Please see your GP, dermatologist or other health care professional for specific advice.
References
Carniol, P. J., Price, J., & Olive, A. (2005). Treatment of telangiectasias with the 532-nm and the 532/940-nm diode laser. Facial plastic surgery : FPS, 21(2), 117–119. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-872412
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/lasers-in-dermatology/
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/treatment/lasers-lights
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/rosacea/
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/facial-red-vein-and-vascular-birthmark-treatments/
Learn more about Vascular Laser & Download our brochure here: Vascular Laser Excel V
