Cosmetic treatments available, Devon

Leg Thread Vein Removal (using Nd:YAG Laser)
Effective treatment for leg thread veins

How does the laser work?
The laser emits light of a particular wavelength, or colour, that when directed into the skin, will target visible blood vessels. These blood vessels absorb the light, which results in heating and destruction by a process known as thermocoagulation. There is little heating (and therefore minimal damage) to the surrounding skin. Following treatment, damaged vessels are absorbed and little or no trace remains.

How is the treatment carried out?
The skin is cooled down prior to treatment which limits the heating effect of the laser on the skin. The laser is placed directly over the offending blood vessels and then a pulse of light will be fired from the laser onto the thread vein. This should cause the vessel to blanch or fade. The laser is then moved along the length of the vessel so that the whole vein is treated. During treatment you must wear protective goggles to protect your eyes from the laser light.

Am I suitable for treatment?
Many laser systems cannot be used to treat dark skins because the light emitted by the laser will be absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the skin. This leads to unwanted excessive heating of the skin as well as the vessel. However, the Nd:YAG laser is very gentle on darker skin types, so almost all skin types can be treated with this system. However, recently tanned (including fake tan, within 4-6 weeks) skins should not be treated.

Some vessels are not suitable for laser treatment. Large vessels (more than approximately 4mm) or varicose veins cannot be treated. Some deep lying or blue veins may require more treatments than smaller red veins. If there are any areas of broken skin, the treatment should be delayed until the area has completely healed.

How does the treatment feel?
As the laser energy is absorbed by the skin, it heats it up, and creates a sharp pinprick, burning sensation. Most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable. No anaesthesia is required.

What should I expect after the treatment?
Redness and a slight burning sensation are normal after treatment. The skin will be cooled to ease these symptoms. You may see a temporary 'greyness' in the vessels, which will pass, and you might notice that some vessels have disappeared immediately. Around the vessel you might see some bruising and the skin may become red and raised.

What are the side effects?
The skin of some patients becomes quite red immediately after treatment and in rare cases some bruising may be seen. A 'cat-scratch' type reaction occurs in some people along the length of the vessel. Hyperpigmentation (darkening), hypopigmentation (whitening) or blistering may occur, but will generally heal with no long-lasting side effects. Strong sunlight should be avoided for two weeks after treatment.

How long does treatment take?
The length of each treatment will depend on the type and size of lesion present, but a typical session for will take in the region of 15 to 30 minutes.

How many treatments are necessary?
The length and number of treatments will depend on the type and size of lesion present, but typically 1-5 treatments will be needed. Treatments should take place approximately every 4 to 6 weeks.

Consultation Procedure All treatments are carried out by a doctor or nurse who have received further training in laser therapies. A full consultation will be provided prior to any treatment. The consultation aims to identify the client's expectations and provides a complete explanation of the treatment. A medical history is taken to confirm suitability for treatment. If the client wishes to proceed a written consent is obtained and a test patch is performed to confirm there are no adverse skin reactions.

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