Vascular Lesions
Vascular lesions are reddish or purplish patches of blood vessels that have ruptured underneath the skin. They include spider veins, port wine stains, hemangiomas, and broken capillaries. Congenital vascular lesions consist of port-wine stains (birthmarks), salmon patches, hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, and other venous malformations. Acquired vascular lesions occur later in life and include cherry angiomas, spider veins, and varicose veins (telangiectasia).
Vascular lesions can range in size, shape, and color intensity. They may be located on the face, neck, head, or other body areas that are difficult to conceal. When vascular lesions are highly visible and dramatically contrast with the skin's natural tone, they can cause deep-seated psychological problems such as social anxiety, social phobia, and low self-esteem. Some vascular lesions may be small enough to remain inconspicuous or negligible to the person’s overall appearance, while others are large and unsightly, sometimes covering most of a person's face or limbs.
Port Wine Stains
Geneticists have recently identified the genetic marker that causes port wine stains or birthmarks. These enlarged capillaries produce purplish-red stains on the skin in about three out of every 1000 births. Most infants with port wine stains have them somewhere on the face but birthmarks can appear anywhere on the body. Newborn birthmarks are pinkish and flat but as the child grows, the port wine stain deepens in color. Rarely causing health issues, port wine stains occasionally grow thicker or bumpy over time and may necessitate a different type of laser surgery.
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign, excessive growths of blood vessels that generally develop as solitary patches on the neck or head. They appear bright red, elevated above the skin's surface, and may ulcerate and bleed, causing pain and scarring. Alternately, cherry angiomas are not as serious as hemangiomas and are smaller, smoother, and papule-like. Cherry angiomas develop in adulthood and frequently affect the trunk of the body; as a person ages, their number increases.
Venous Lakes
Venous lakes are benign vascular lesions that occur in elderly people more frequently than in younger adults. They resemble cherry angiomas but are dome-shaped and elevated. Venous lakes are dark purple or blue and present no symptoms other than bleeding if bumped or injured. A proliferation of venous lakes covering the face is a harmless condition but presents an aesthetic problem that impels most people to seek cosmetic treatment for the removal of these lesions.
Telangiectasias
Telangiectasias are dilated blood vessels that often occur spontaneously due to aging, hypertension, pregnancy, or sun exposure. This type of vascular lesion is frequently seen in port wine stains and acne rosacea and may vanish temporarily if pressure is applied to the lesion area. Telangiectasias conditions cause more problems aesthetically than medically, with many women and men attempting to conceal unsightly lesions with self-tanning lotions or liquid cosmetics.
Treatment Options
The Nd: YAG laser emits a specific wavelength of light that penetrates the skin, entering blood vessels and spider veins. This energy generates heat, coagulating the blood and causing the vein to collapse. The blood is rerouted to deeper blood vessels and the damaged vein slowly disappears as the body sheds the cells naturally. The beauty of this method is that surrounding tissue is protected by a custom cooling feature between pulses of the laser.
Nd: YAG Laser
Patients who choose to diminish the appearance of vascular lesions with Intense Pulsed Light therapy, in general, will experience results within three to five sessions. The Intense Pulsed Light delivers a series of light beams strong enough to penetrate your skin and allow its absorption by pigmentation or blood vessels. Once this heat starts to damage the dilated vessels comprising the lesion, your skin initiates its own healing process and seals these vessels so they are no longer able to transport blood. Consequently, the unattractive redness of vascular lesions is reduced or eliminated. In addition, this “damage” also stimulates the production of collagen, a substance that promotes healthier, younger-looking skin.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Broadband Light (BBL) is a type of laser therapy used to treat various skin concerns and stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps give structure to your skin, among other things. BBL treatments use a broad spectrum of wavelengths to target your skin’s underlying layers. Your skin absorbs this light energy, which promotes collagen production and eliminates pigmented (darker) skin cells. You may experience sensations, pulses, and mild pain. Your skin will feel slightly warm and appear slightly red, swollen, or sunburned. Visible changes to your skin can be seen within a few days or weeks of your first BBL treatment; as you continue treatments, you will notice more significant changes.
BroadBand Light (BBL)
The above-mentioned list is not definitive and may differ in the treatment of your specific skin condition. Furthermore, depending on your case, the procedures can be used alone or in combination. Your doctor will select the best treatment strategy according to your individual specifications.
Dr. Lola Ali is a professional skincare therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people achieve younger, brighter, and healthier skin. If you would like to know more about your specific aesthetical skin condition and available treatment approaches, please do not hesitate and book your first free skincare check-up and consultation with her.
