Medical Grade IPL - Facial Veins & Redness
Types of vascular and red blemishes
There are many people who suffer from a variety of vascular and red blemishes including facial and leg veins, telangiectasia or broken capillaries, birth marks such as Port Wine Stains, haemangiomas, rosacea, or spider naevi.
What causes vascular blemishes?
Vascular blemishes are caused by a number of factors including genetic predisposition, physical injury such as sunburn or frostbite, irradiation and hormonal changes.
How are vascular blemishes treated?
We use a treatment based on the theory of “selective thermolysis”. Haemoglobin is the substance found in the blood that gives the vascular blemishes their red or blue colour. A Laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device is used to produce intense light of a specific (or narrow range) wavelength. This wavelength selectively targets the haemoglobin and damages the vascular lesion while minimising damage to the adjacent tissue.
Can all vascular blemishes be treated?
The majority of vascular blemishes can be treated. Your doctor will advise you if a blemish should not be treated.
Uncommonly, some vascular blemishes may not respond to treatment. Some vessels, especially those on the nose, can reappear after treatment but are usually less noticeable.
Leg veins, particularly those below the knee, have a varying response. Some respond very well, while others have no response or only partial response.
The vascular blemishes associated with Rosacea usually respond well to treatment. However, the flushing, acne type rash and underlying redness may not respond at all.
Is the treatment painful?
Most patients don’t experience the treatment as painful. It has been described as being similar to having a rubber band snapped against the skin.
How many treatments are required?
The final result and the number of treatments depends on a number of factors including the type of lesion, skin type, the degree of sun tan, size and depth of the vessels and the location to be treated.
Between 2 to 4 treatments are usually required to successfully treat most blemishes. It is recommended that you wait at least 6 to 8 weeks between treatments.
Are there any side effects?
Common side effects include redness, swelling and discomfort. These reactions are temporary and usually disappear within a few hours. Less commonly, the skin reaction may be more severe with prolonged redness, swelling, discomfort and blistering and may take longer to heal.
What should I do before treatment?
If necessary, shave the area to be treated. Arrive early for your appointment and remove any make up, sunscreen or moisturiser containing sunscreen.
Sun light, solariums and tanned skin increases the risk of side effects and reduces the effectiveness of treatment. Ideally your skin should be as pale as possible. So, avoid the sun, solariums and “fake tan” products.
What should I do after treatment?
A moisturiser containing a broad spectrum, high SPF sun screen is recommended. Avoid the sun and solariums for at least one month following treatment. The longer this period is, the better the results.
Is this treatment suitable for everyone?
Treatment should be avoided, or discussed in detail with your doctor, if you have a dark skin type, are prone to increased pigmentation, have a deep sun tan, or intend to spend time in the sun or solarium soon after treatment.
Depending on the colour, permanent make up or tattoos may absorb the light and increase the risk of side effects or reduce the effectiveness of treatment
Is it Expensive?
Costs are based on the area being treated and the desired outcome, and is difficult to provide an accurate quote unless we actually see the area. Therefore, we suggest you book in for a free consultation with one of our consultants who can explain the procedure in more detail and provide you with a price for a treatment plan.
