Vascular laser
Treatment Time
Numbing
Discomfort
Recovery Time
What is vascular laser treatment?
Vascular lasers are a safe and effective way of treating vascular (blood vessel related) conditions, such as rosacea, angioma, venous lake, poikiloderma of civatte, pyogenic granuloma, hypertrophic and keloid scars, red birth marks (port wine stains) and leg veins. Vascular lasers target oxyhaemoglobin within the red blood cells of the lesion being treated. This results in thermal damage to the blood vessels making them shrink and become less visible.
An initial consult with our dermatologist will determine the nature of your lesion and the best treatment option for your skin. If vascular laser treatment is suitable, you can proceed with treatment on that day. Numbing cream will be applied to the area to be treated for approximately an hour while you enjoy our comfortable, private waiting room. The laser treatment is likely to take 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Before your treatment, avoid sun exposure and fake tanning products for a minimum of 2 weeks. Wear no make up on the day.
Immediately after treatment, you’ll be given an ice pack to apply to the treated area, which will soothe the skin and help reduce swelling. It’s recommended that ice packs be applied for up to 10 minutes, every hour or two, for the rest of the day of treatment. It’s advisable to sleep with your head elevated, if your face has been treated, to limit swelling. You can shower/bathe as normal, using your usual products. Make up can be worn as usual, but avoid applying perfume to treated areas. Treated areas can be shaved gently the following day. Alcohol, strenuous exercise and activity should be avoided for the rest of the day of treatment. SPF 50+ sunscreen should be regularly applied to the treated area until the skin has fully healed. Treated skin should also be covered, or a hat should be worn in the sun.
- Reduction in the appearance of redness and red lesions
- Short recovery time
- No scarring
- Quick treatment
- Visible improvement in as little as one treatment, though several may be required to achieve optimal results
What does vascular laser treatment feel like?
The sensation of the laser varies from patient to patient and also on the area being treated. For most patients, it feels like being flicked with an elastic band. Along with numbing cream, oral analgesia can also be taken. Our goal is that patients feel minimal discomfort during treatment.
How much does vascular treatment cost?
Your initial consult with our dermatologist costs $330, of which $84 can be claimed from Medicare if you have a referral from your GP. The cost of treatment will be dependent on the type and size of the lesion or area to be treated. This will be determined during your consult with the dermatologist, along with the estimated number of treatments required to achieve an optimal result.As a guide, vascular laser treatment starts at $550.
What are the possible risks or complications of vascular laser treatments?
As with any laser treatment, some risk does exist, though lasers are considered very safe treatments for vascular conditions.
- Post treatment discomfort, much like the sensation of a mild sunburn tingle, redness and oedema (swelling) are not uncommon. This is normal and temporary.
- Hypo-pigmentation (fading of the colour of skin). This is very uncommon.
- Hyper-pigmentation (darkening of the colour of the skin). May occur in darker skin types. The dermatologist will consider whether this is a risk for your skin during your consult.
- Indentation (for vein treatments). Uncommon and only occurring with larger veins.
- Purpura (bruising). Uncommon, and will fade like any bruise, lasting up to 10 days.
- Blisters. Very uncommon.
- Infection. Very rare.
- Scarring. Extremely rare.
Who is vascular laser not recommended for?
Vascular laser is suitable for most patients.
Our Practitioners
The doctors at Neutral Bay Laser & Dermatology Clinic are highly trained medical professionals, with a caring and compassionate outlook, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for our patients.
Dr. Terence Poon is the medical director of Neutral Bay Laser & Dermatology Clinic. He is a dermatologist and laser specialist. He has trained extensively in Australia and internationally, in the laser-responsive cosmetic aspects of dermatology.
He undertook a fellowship with Dr Jim Walter, who pioneered the use of lasers in dermatology in Australia and who founded our clinic, which was the first full time laser dermatology clinic in Sydney.
Dr Marianne Nolan has been with the clinic for over two decades and is very experienced in all aspects of laser treatments and related cosmetic procedures. Her meticulous record of safety and competence has earned her a huge following of dedicated cosmetic skin care patients, who also enjoy warm, caring manner. She trained extensively with our founder, Dr James Walter, and has attended regular training programmes and conferences in Australia, Europe and the USA. Together with Dr Walter, she is co-developer of our bespoke rejuvenation treatments, the Walter Nolan Multi-Laser Procedures.
Dr Helena Torpinski has been with our clinic for nearly two decades. Her bright and lively manner continues to ensure she is popular with our patients. Helena works as a GP in Newtown when she is not at our clinic and this adds a great breadth of knowledge and understanding to her engagement with patients. She has expertise in all forms of laser and light-based treatments and has a commitment to ongoing education, training and regular conference attendance.
Other Treatments
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