There
are two phases to laser treatment.
The first phase determines the proper
laser energy to clear the lesion. This
involves a test consisting of several
laser pulses with differing energy
density. At your next appointment,
your physician will evaluate the best
results to determine the proper energy
setting for your skin type. The first
of several treatment sessions will
then begin.
Use of the pulsed-dye laser causes a discoloration and a bruise of the skin known
as a pupura which lasts for about ten days. However, it is agreed throughout
the medical community that when the pupura has faded, the pulsed-dye laser offers
the most effective treatment available for port wine stains.
It
is important to note that lasers do
not always eliminate port wine birthmarks
completely. In about 25% of patients,
laser therapy will completely clear
the lesion, while 75% will result in
a dramatic improvement. For reasons
that are not well understood, a small
number of patients will not respond
to laser treatment.
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are vascular malformations
which appear like raised, red birthmarks.
The majority occur in infants and
young children with most lesions
disappearing completely by age 7.
While most of these lesions are
superficial, hemangiomas can spread
rapidly, causing considerable mental
anguish to patients and their families.
On
occasion hemangiomas can be internal
with life-threatening results if they
interfere with the function of vital
organs. Therefore, it is important
that the nature of the lesion be determined
early. Laser treatment should be considered
at the earliest stages to arrest the
progression of superficial hemangiomas.
Dramatic
Real Patient Results !
Before |
After |
