Laser treatment of port-wine stains
Red birthmarks (Port-Wine Stain) are smooth birthmarks that are formed by enlarged blood capillaries. They develop before or just after birth. At birth they are already present. Their colour varies from pink and red to dark purple. Port-Wine Stain appear most often on the skin of the face and are of varying size.
Port-wine Stains, unlike haemangiomas, do NOT disappear with age. Typically, they progress over time, changing their colour and relief. Often, the change in colour occurs during and after puberty, with the spots becoming red or dark purple. As the years go by, the change in the skin in the area of the stain begins – it becomes dense, rough, with enlarged pores and sometimes with the appearance of small bluish “nodules” and “beads” that make the relief even rougher.
What therapy is used for port-wine stains?
„The gold standard” in the treatment of Port-Wine stains is lasers. Early onset of therapy is thought to reduce the number of treatments and increase the likelihood that the spots will fade completely. Most often a significant (over 80%) fading of the stain lasts for months or years. After the end of the treatment course and the achieved satisfactory effect, it is necessary to carry out annual maintenance treatments.
What is the laser treatment for PORT-WINE STAINS?
Laser treatment of enlarged capillaries on the legs is done with a laser by the leading medical laser systems company Cynosure.
During the treatment, energy is converted to heat, causing a continuous contraction of the enlarged blood vessels in the treated area. Gradual fading of red spots with each subsequent treatment is observed. Most often a significant (over 80%) fading of the stain lasts for months or years.
Which areas can be treated?
With this technology, red birthmarks can be treated both on the skin of the face, neck, neckline, arms and limbs.
Which patients are suitable for the treatment?
Laser is safely applied to all patients, regardless of their age and type of skin (from the lightest to the darkest). The only condition is that patients do not have suntan, have not been actively exposed to sun or solarium in the last month.
What is the feeling during the treatment?
The patient senses slight stinging or pinching when the impulse is applied through the nozzle. Before the treatment the area is treated with an analgesic cream for 20-30 minutes.
For the complete comfort of our patients during manipulation, a professional Zimmer 6 cryosystem is used for analgesia by means of a cold air jet.
What happens immediately after the treatment?
Immediately after the treatment, redness and swelling of the treated area occur within 5 to 7 days.
It is advisable to place a sunscreen with a high factor on the treated area if it is exposed to direct sunlight.
How many treatments are necessary?
The number of treatments depends on the colour, size, time of occurrence, location of the red spot, and the age of the patient. Approximately 5-8 treatments are usually needed, with 1-month interval between them.
In a larger percentage of the patients undergoing the treatment, significant improvement is apparent two to six weeks after the first treatment. The end result will be evident after a few months after completing the treatment course.
After the end of the treatment course and the achieved satisfactory effect, it is necessary to carry out annual maintenance treatments.
What are the contraindications to the treatment?
There are conditions in which the treatment is strictly contraindicated due to the high risk of unpredictable side effects:
• pregnancy
• the presence of open wounds
• the presence of suntan from recent exposure to sun or solarium
• patients to be exposed to sun within 30 days of the last treatment
• active herpes and other skin infections in the area of the treated area
• malignant skin formations
• tendency to form keloids
• when taking medicines that increase the sensitivity of the skin to the rays, etc..