Vascular
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems are used to treat a variety of different vascular (vein) and pigmented (skin colour) problems which may include:
- Telangiectasias - spider or thread veins - on the face or body;
- Port wine stains - (pink, deep red or purple patches on the skin which are present from birth);
- Rosacea – a rash that looks similar to acne, but on a red background;
- Spider Naevus - a single red spot with little “arms” coming out from it;
- Lentigos - sometimes called age or liver spots. These are similar to freckles, but are usually larger and darker with irregular edges. They are usually associated with sun damage;
- Solar Keratosis - bumpy or raised areas of the skin which are also scaly to look at and feel. These are usually found in older people and are associated with exposure to the sun;
- freckles;
- pigmented birthmarks;
- warts;
- stubborn and persistent verrucae;
- some larger or varicose veins;
- some scars and stretch marks;
Common Causes of Vascular Problems
Common causes where Intense Pulsed Light machines have been used as a program to treat vascular marks, such as dilated capillaries, naevi (red spots) and rosacea are:
- Incorrect skin care
- Medications
- Hereditary factors
- UV exposure
- Pregnancy
- Having an outdoor lifestyle
- Smoking
- Working / living in an environment that experiences extremes of temperature
With emphasis on past, present, and future skin care, this treatment can dramatically improve the skin giving a more even tone and texture, reducing the flushing in the area.
Treating vascular lesions by IPL involves using a range of light wavelengths that are attracted to the colour of blood. The blood absorbs the light when it is pulsed onto the skin and heats up. The skins own healing mechanism is stimulated resulting in absorption of the blood into the circulatory system leaving little or no trace of the original blemish. There may be a 'greyness' of the capillary noticed after the treatment or it may take 1 - 4 weeks for the re absorption process to take place.
A client may expect to have 1 - 5 treatments at 4 - 6 weekly intervals but this does differ from person to person. Some people achieve very satisfactory results with very few treatments.
A thorough consultation is given and a test patch where the treatment method is explained verbally, and a thorough personal and medical history is noted, contra-indications checked and the therapist examines the skin.
The therapist will always attempt to establish the cause of the red veins appearing and advise the client accordingly of any changes in his/her lifestyle that he/she recommends. The area to be treated is cleansed and then cooled prior to the commencement of the treatment. Once sufficient cooling to the treatment area has been accomplished the therapist begins the treatment. The client feels been described as a “snap” from a rubber band..The skin is cooled after treatment and protected with an SPF30+ Sun screen. The clients skin might look red after treatment but should return to normal within a couple of hours.
The vessels should disappear quickly, and some do so immediately. Very rarely, hypo-pigmentation and hyper-pigmentation or blistering and bruising of the skin occur, and these are usually temporary.
The IPL therapist will discuss future skin care and UV protection to ensure long- lasting treatment results.
Does It Hurt and What Could Go Wrong?
Depending on the type of light treatment used and what area of your body you are having treated, some mild stinging or burning may be noticed during the procedure, and the area treated may feel hot for 15 minutes or so after treatment.
Most patients will experience skin redness over the treated area which will fade over the next hour or so. Sometimes, some mild bleeding may occur with scabs forming afterwards.
Post-treatment risks or side effects can include skin discoloration and scaling that usually fades over a period of weeks. Rarely, minor scarring or more permanent pigment changes to the skin may occur.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
It is very important that you follow the advice of your therapist carefully after any IPL treatment for vascular and pigmented problems to help make the procedure as successful as possible and to reduce the risk of complications.
Depending on the problem treated post-treatment advice may include:
- Applying any ointment or cream recommended by your therapist to the treated area, as directed;
- NOT exposing the area treated to the sun without a sunscreen for at least 2 weeks to reduce the risk of increasing pigmentation (or discolouration) in that area. A high factor sun block should be used daily to protect the skin;
- Contacting your therapist immediately if you notice any signs of infection or pigmentation changes.
Who Should Not Have Treatment?
Patients generally not suitable for any form of light treatment are those who have a history of skin sensitivity to light or scarring problems, an active herpes (cold sores) infection or other skin infections such as impetigo at the site to be treated.
Darker skin, or recently tanned skin, may be not be suitable for treatment by certain types of machine. Your therapist will advise you about this if you have a darker complexion.
Clients who have used isotretinoin in the last year would also not be suitable candidates. Click here for Vascular before and after images