Angiomas Laser Treatment
Developments in laser technology have yielded a plethora of treatment options for a variety of skin conditions. Laser treatment is a non-surgical cosmetic solution to ultimately improve the overall smoothness and evenness of the skin's tone and texture. Laser treatment is designed to correct coloration and textural irregularities in the skin. Angiomas are one such condition that can be corrected by laser treatment.
-
Angioma Skin Condition
-
Angioma is a skin condition that poses no serious health threat and can be found anywhere on the body. It is usually treated to rid the condition's visible discoloration on the skin's surface. The two most common types of angiomas are cherry angiomas and spider angiomas. Cherry angiomas are dark, red bumps on the skin that occur and increase naturally as people age and have no significance. Spider angiomas are common during pregnancy and childhood and appear as flat red spots at the skin's surface, with vein-like extensions that protrude from its center, like a spider web. An angioma is a benign buildup of blood vessels in the skin's surface that is not dangerous and doesn't require medical treatment. Cosmetic laser treatment is optional.
Functions of Laser Treatment
-
Laser therapy treats angiomas by correcting the discoloration and irregular texture of the red spots. Energy-filled lasers aim to destroy the irregular skin cells, triggering new, healthy cell growth in place of the irregular cells. The new cells are of normal pigmentation and texture. Some types of laser treatments approach the tissue of an entire skin area all at once, such as those that heat and burn off the whole surface skin tissue of the face. Other laser treatments use precision to affect only the individual angiomas spots and leave the rest of the cells unaffected by treatment.
Pulse Dye Laser Treatment
-
Pulse Dye Laser (PDL) treatment is the optimal laser-treatment choice for angiomas, as suggested by the John Hopkins Cosmetic Center. PDL treatment involves highly-concentrated, energy-filled laser beams that target the blood vessels beneath the skin's surface. As the laser penetrates the skin and reaches the irregular blood vessels responsible for the skin irregularity, the energy transforms into heat, which immediately destroys the targeted cells. PDL technology uses precision to ensure that the healthy surrounding skin tissue is left undamaged. The laser technology is also adjustable in intensity and color to deliver optimal performance for different angioma conditions. PDL beams promote the regeneration of new cells, rejuvenating the skin's overall complexion in addition to ridding the angioma spots.
Procedure and Effectiveness
-
Laser-treatment sessions are as brief as 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the skin condition. Correcting one angioma can be less than 15 minutes, while treating multiple angiomas extends the length of the session and may require multiple sessions to achieve desired results. The more dramatic the condition, the more time that is required. While PDL treatment can permanently remove existing angioma discoloration, it cannot prevent the development of new spots, since they come with age.
Pain and Safety
-
Angioma laser treatment causes very little to no discomfort (no anesthetic is given). Most PDL technology incorporates a spray function, which sprays cold liquid on the skin just as the laser beam penetrates the surface layer. Sessions involve no downtime, and potential risks and complications are minimal, as PDL technology is gentler than most laser types.
Side Effects
-
PDL has minimal side effects and is often the laser of choice for those with sensitive skin who seek correction for conditions other than angiomas. The lack of side effects are attributed to the precision of the laser technology. The most common side effect is minor bruising of the skin, which subsides after a few days. For the treatment of angiomas, however, bruising is not likely, as the treatable spots are quite small.
Consideration
-
Like many types of laser treatments, PDL treatment is ineffective on tanned skin. The natural skin shade is required for treatment. Many patients use a high-strength sunscreen every day for 30 days or more before laser treatment.
-
