Laser Treatment for Telangiectasias
Telangiectasias is a skin condition that usually occurs in the face, but can sometimes occur in lower extremities as well. The condition resembles strings and patches of broken veins and capillaries, red and purplish in color, and consists of small, dilated vessels of 0.1 to 1.5 mm in diameter, according to information provided in the article, "Laser Treatment of Acquired and Congenital Vascular Lesions," on eMedicine.com. Laser treatment is an effective solution for visible telangiectasias. Does this Spark an idea?
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Causes
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Telangiectasias is an acquired vascular lesion condition with a variety of causes. Facial telangiectasias, according to the eMedicine article, may occur spontaneously, or can be caused by acne, rosacea, excessive sun exposure, collagen-vascular disease, pregnancy, or alcohol or hormone ingestion. Telangiectasias that occur in children may continue to develop into adulthood. Telangiectasias of lower extremities are more common in women, as they can develop after pregnancy, or due to genetics.
Functions of Laser Treatment
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Laser technology is used as a cosmetic correction for skin discoloration and irregularity, such as telangiectasias. Laser treatments vary by type of technology and technique, and the options for treatment are plentiful. The lasers use one or any combination of heat, energy and light beams to target and destroy the abnormal blood vessels, triggering cell repair and new cell growth, as well as collagen production. The skin cells that displayed the redness of the broken veins are replaced with new, healthy cells that contribute to a more even-toned, smoother and younger-looking appearance.
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Pulsed Dye Lasers
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Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment is commonly used to treat telangiectasias, since this laser is the preferred choice for correcting other acquired vascular legions, such as cherry angiomas, spider veins, rosacea and port wine stains, according to the John Hopkins Cosmetic Center. PDL is ideal because the type of laser used penetrates the surface skin tissue to target and destroy the blood vessels underneath. The wavelength of the PDL beam is adjusted for optimal performance, and is specifically designed to target skin spots made up of blood vessels.
Other Types of Laser Treatment
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The long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser is now commonly used to treat telangiectasias of mild to moderate conditions in the vessels of leg veins, up to 4 mm in diameter, according to the report on eMedicine. This type of laser is also used to treat the visible veins below lower eyelids.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is another effective laser treatment for telangiectasias, especially for the legs of fair-skinned individuals. IPL is not technically a laser, by scientific definition, and uses pulses of light to penetrate the skin tissue and "zap" abnormal cells, triggering cell turnover.
Results
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Once the swelling, redness and irritation subsides, patients will notice a significant difference in the appearance of the skin after one laser treatment session. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve desired results, depending on the severity of the skin condition and the size of the area being treated. Dr. Keyvan Nouri, author of the eMedicine article and professor of dermatology and otolaryngology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, cites PDL as the "criterion standard" laser treatment for acquired vascular lesions, and says this type of treatment is only ineffective on lesions that are too deep (rare with this vein condition). Dr. Nouri reports that of all the conditions PDL can treat, PDL treatment is particularly effective for reducing the appearance of telangiectasias that is associated with acne and rosacea.
Side Effects and Complications
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The most intense adverse effects of laser treatment for telangiectasias may include edema, which is excessive swelling due to large fluid quantities, and purpura, which are hemorrhages in the skin that result in red and purple patches. These effects may last from seven to 14 days, according to Dr. Nouri, and are often why patients choose a "less aggressive" type of laser than the PDL despite its promising results when the side effects subside. Other potential post-treatment adverse effects include fleeting hypopigmentation (light or white spots on the skin ) or hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin), which are more likely to occur in dark-skinned or tanned individuals.
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