Vascular Laser

Vascular Laser Treatment Description:

Vascular laser treatments can be broken down into two general treatment categories:

1- Surface vascular legions such as telangiectasias, Rosacea, port wine stain birthmarks, and strawberry hemangiomas. These conditions are commonly treated with either a pulse dye laser, a 532nm KTP, or even a 1064nm NdYag. Though the mechanics behind these lasers are quite different, these lasers work by releasing a strong burst of precisely-directed, single-wavelength light onto the affected skin. Heat from the vascular laser causes damage to the blood vessels under the skin, causing them to collapse and resolve.

2- Endovenous Vein Treatment. This is a highly specific, semi-invasive technique used for the treatment of varicose veins. During the procedure, a catheter bearing a laser fibre is inserted under ultrasound guidance into the great saphenous vein (GSV) or small saphenous vein (SSV) through a small puncture. The catheter is then advanced (also under ultrasound guidance) to the level of the groin or knee crease. Dilute local anaesthetic is injected around and along the vein (perivascular infiltration). The laser is activated whilst the catheter or laser fibre is slowly withdrawn, resulting in obliteration of the saphenous vein along its entire length.

More detailed information about Vascular laser treatments:

Seminal article by Dr. Goldberg: http://www.skinandlasers.com/asp/UpLoad/publication/lasertreat_vas2.pdf

Endovenous Vein Treatment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endovenous_laser_treatment

Pulse Dye Laser: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsed_dye_laser

KTP information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_titanyl_phosphate

Nd:Yag information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser