Some vascular lesions are visible at birth, while others are acquired as a person ages. Chances are either type can be treated using light.

In accordance with the principle of selective photothermolysis, blood vessels in these lesions can be selectively heated and destroyed without damaging surrounding, healthy tissue.

 

How does the treatment work?

Harmony laser`s AFT (Advanced Fluorescent Therapy) can be used to treat superficial red veins/vascular lesions. The light is absorbed by the red pigment (haemoglobin) in the red veins/vascular lesions and destroys it. Over the next few days the body`s own immune mechanism helps to clear this away and it disappears.

 

What types of red veins/vascular lesions can be treated?

 

The following vascular lesions on the skin can be treated with AFT:

• Port wine stains
• Haemangioma
• Superficial telangiectasias
• Rosacea, erythema of rosacea
• Angiomas and spider angiomas
• Poikiloderma of Civatte

How is the treatment carried out?

Protective eye wear has to be worn during the treatment. A layer of cooled gel is applied to the treatment area. The hand piece of the AFT applicator is applied to this area of cooled skin and a short pulse of light of the appropriate wavelength is released.

 

Am I suitable for treatment?

Tanned and dark skinned people cannot be treated with AFT. Big veins cannot be treated.

 

How does the treatment feel?

The treatment sensation may feel like the flick of an elastic band on the skin.

 

Are there any side effects?

Sight soreness and redness like mild sunburn may be felt soon after the treatment, which disappears after a few hours. Blisters and darkening/lightening of the skin are rarely seen.

 

What should I expect after the treatment?

The pigmented areas treated may darken and then fade away. Some are seen to flake before disappearing either partially or completely. Between one and four treatments may be necessary 4 weeks apart.

 

Consultation procedure:

An initial consultation with our Doctor will be followed by signing a consent form. A patch test will be done if suitability for treatment is established; Clinical photographs will be taken prior to this. A week later the full treatment can be done if all is well with the patch test area.