What
is the Profile vascular laser?
Profile is a new laser using infrared
energy and the new standard for the treatment of
many skin conditions. Profile allows your physician
to precisely treat visible vessels, broken capillaries,
spider veins, lesions, and discoloration of your
skin. Your treatment will be tailored to match your
skin condition and desired result.
What conditions can be
treated?
Rosacea
Redness
Telangiectasia
Spider veins
Facial Veins
Broken Capillaries
Varicose Veins
What will the Profile
laser do?
Your physician will use Profile to restore
your skin's youthful color. Broken capillaries
and other visible vascular structures will be gently
eliminated from the visible layers of your skin's
surface. Profile has the ability to provide a treatment
that is optimized to your skin condition. Unwanted
lesions will be preferentially heated by the laser
energy and become less noticeable, some will disappear;
and pigmented lesions will greatly improve.
What areas can be treated?
All skin areas can be treated. Popular areas
are the face, neck, chest and legs. Discuss your
needs with your physicion.
Is there a risk?
There is little risk for the treatment of
these benign comditions. In some cases repeat treatment
will be necessary depending on your response to the
treatment and the desired result.
How long will it take
me to recover?
Your healing time will depend upon your
actual treatment, and you may experience erythema
(redness) which may last several days. There is virtually
no recovery time and you may resume an active lifestyle
immediately. Your physician can answer questions
about temporary changes to your skin color and how
they may be camoflaged.
What should I expect after
treatment?
Some temporary redness may be present in
the area that has been treated, however, this should
subside within a few hours. Your skin will have a
pink or red color that will resolve over time. You
will need to avoid direct sun exposure, or use a
sun block of at least SPF 15 when outdoors.
Will it be uncomfortable?
There is little to no discomfort, however
this varies from patient to patient and depends on
the depth of the treatment. There is no need for
anesthesia and your physician will discuss your options
to properly manage any discomfort from the treatment.
There will be no posttreatment discomfort.
What will happen during
the procedure?
Your eyes will be protected with safety
shields or glasses. Profile's laser beam will be
delivered to the area of your skin being treated.
You may briefly feel a warm or hot sensation as the
laser pulses are preferentially absorbed in the unwanted
vessels, heating and destroying them. Your procedure
may take a few minutes to half an hour depending
on the size of the area to be treated.
What aftercare will I
need?
It is important to follow your physician's
instructions. You may be given some skin care products
and instructions on how to use them. This will minimize
your risk for inflammation or redness and ensure
the shortest response time. Any vessels or pigment
denatured by the laser will be reabsorbed by your
body over a period of time in a natural cleaning
process. Most small capillaries will become invisible
almost immediately since they will no longer contain
blood flow.
Your skin will be sensitive to
ultra-violet light and you must avoid direct sun
exposure. Most of the conditions treated by the laser
will have been caused by sun exposure, so avoiding
sunlight will prolong your new youthful appearance.
You need to cover your skin or use a good sunscreen
whenever you go outdoors.
What is laser vein treatment?
Laser therapy is a proven treatment for
treating unsightly broken and dilated vessels, as
well as such other unwanted vascular lesions as rosacea,
port wine stains, and other vascular birthmarks.
In fact, the latest advances in laser technology
have given us a method for removal that is safer,
faster and more effective than previous methods.
How does laser vein treatment
work?
Lasers work by emitting a specialized light
that passes through the skin and is preferentially
absorbed by its target, which can be an unwanted
hair, birthmark, tattoo, or in this case, the hemoglobin
(the red portio n of blood) in the unwanted vessels.
The heat from the laser causes the vein to break
up and disappear. There are several lasers available
that work remarkably well in treating unwanted veins.
What can I expect with
the procedure?
Most people describe laser vein treatment
as feeling like the snap of a rubber band against
the skin. You may be given a topical anesthetic cream
to numb the area to be treated. Any discomfort can
be eased with the application of cool compresses.
After treatment, you can immediately return to normal
activities.
How soon will I see results?
Are there any side effects?
Because laser vein treatment works by causing
the unwanted vein to break up and dissolve, resolution
of the unwanted vein will take place over the course
of several weeks. The most common side effect is
bruising, or purpura, around the treated area. This
will resolve within days of the treatment, and occurs
only with some lasers used. Your doctor can discuss
any other risks of laser surgery with you personally.
What are facial veins?
Facial veins are fine blood vessels (otherwise
known as telangiectasia) located on the face, usually
around the nose and central cheeks. They can be the
result of cumulative sun exposure, genetics, or rosacea.
Many patients also refer to these as "broken" blood
vessels or capillaries.
What are the costs involved?
Costs for each treatment session can range
from $150 to $500.
Will insurance cover this
procedure?
In some cases yes. Laser vein treatments, like other
cosmetic procedures, are not usually covered by your
insurance company. If you have any questions, it
is best to talk with your provider.
How many treatments are
necessary? Is treatment permanent?
Depending on the severity of the condition,
multiple treatments may be required. Improvement
generally lasts for several years, but over time
new facial veins will develop, requiring a touch-up
treatment at a later date.
What treatments are considered
medically necessary vs. cosmetic?
Treatment of facial veins is considered
cosmetic; consequently, the cost is not covered by
medical insurance.
How do I get started?
If you're considering a treatment and are interested in learning more, please schedule a free consultation by calling RefineMD at 920-779-1106 or 888-434-0698 or click here to contact us.
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