The Vein and Laser Center offers additional laser therapies for skin conditions including spider veins on the face, rosacea, acne, hair removal, and skin rejuvenation. We have also used them to treat large facial Port Wine Stains. We have two lasers at the Center, the Laserscope Aura, a KTP 532 nm wavelength, and Lyra, a 1064 nm wavelength Nd:YAG laser. These are safe, effective tools to address multiple skin problems and all skin types.

Hair Removal

Far and away the most frequent request for laser treatments at The Vein and Laser Center is for hair removal on the face. This utilizes the Lyra Laser and is a rapid technique to permanent hair reduction from anyplace on the body. It targets dark hair specifically and works by destroying the fair follicle itself, unlike other methods, such as waxing and plucking which simply remove the hair shaft from the follicle. Because of the various growth phases of hair multiple treatments are required, timed about a month apart. A minimum of three treatments is required to reduce the hair. Permanent hair reduction is the goal but new hair growth can occur even after successful completion of the treatments. In these cases, additional touch up may be required.

The Lyra laser has also been used very successfully to treat a condition unique to African-Americans called Pseudo-Folliculitis Barbae in which hair growth produces small infected nodules because of entrapment of hair below the surface. The laser light penetrates to the hail follicle beneath the skin and destroys it preventing further hair growth in the beard area.

Facial Veins and Rosacea

The Lyra laser is uniquely adapted to treat small facial veins which until now have been very difficult to eliminate. The same wavelength of laser light used to destroy the hair shaft, and hence follicle, is also absorbed by the hemoglobin molecule in the red cells floating in the blood vessel. Like the hair shaft it serves as a target to transform light energy to heat and destroy the vessel. This applies to the condition of rosacea which is microscopically nothing more than a large cluster of vessels below the surface of the skin. The largest blood vessel collection is a Port Wine Stain. We have successfully treated these as well as small cherry hemangiomas on the face and elsewhere. Careful examination will allow us to determine if these lasers are right for you.

Leg Veins

The Lyra laser has been used quite effectively at eliminating Telangectasias called spider veins. While sclerotherapy remains the method of choice, the Lyra laser has been used to destroy these veins in patients who are phobic to needles and in those cases where matting has resulted as a complication of sclerotherapy.

Acne Vulgaris

Acne remains a difficult problem for patients in all age groups. The Aura, 532 nm KTP laser, has been used to reduce and control acne vulgaris by treating the problem at the source, the sebaceous glands and a phototoxic effect that kills the bacteria, propionibacterium acnes, that is responsible for the inflammatory acne lesions. Four to six treatments, at weekly intervals, have been shown to improve acne lesions as much as 80 to 95 %. When combined with cleansing and topicals, this can result in long periods without relapse lasting four to six months. Because the Aura laser stimulates collagen production, it also provides cosmetic rejuvenation by tightening pores and improving skin tone, texture and superficial acne scars.

Facial Photorejuvenation

When combined, the Lyra and Aura lasers have a synergistic effect that can be used to improve skin tone on the face. In addition to removing facial vascular lesions such as spider veins and rosacea, the Aura laser can improve facial skin tone by stimulating collagen growth. This effectively tightens the underlying collagen bed beneath the dermis. Six treatments are required spaced about one month apart. These are quick and relatively painless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt? We have found that the lasers cause minimal discomfort. A cooling system on the laser hand-piece markedly reduces the discomfort by chilling the surface of the skin. In rare cases, the skin can be anesthetized by application of EMLA cream about an hour before the treatment session. Patients who have had the laser fired without any anesthesia say it feels like a small rubber-band snapped against the skin.

Is hair removal permanent? Hair removal in our experience has been excellent with results pleasing to the patient and gratifying to us. In most cases there is permanent reduction. There are instances, though uncommon, where hair removal is not as effective in certain patients. Using various energy levels tailored to each individual skin type we have seen 80-90% reduction in hair growth. New hair can grow, however. This is not a treatment failure.

Can hair be removed from other places or just my face? We have removed hair successfully from every hair-bearing area on the body, including the under arms, legs, back, arms and the bikini area.

Is this covered by insurance? For the most part, laser treatments are considered cosmetic and not covered. The Vein and Laser Center will make arrangements for payment schedule. We have found our fee schedule to be quite reasonable and below the market level for most services. There are a few indications for laser treatments which are covered by insurance, such as treatment of pseudo-folliculitis and port wine stains. This varies considerably between insurance carriers.

Is the laser better for my spider veins? When compared to standard techniques of sclerotherapy, the laser can provide comparable results. And there is no difference in cost per treatment session. However, over the course of treatment, sclerotherapy is more efficient and tends to produce a quicker fading of the spider veins than the laser. We certainly will treat your veins as you wish and it may be that laser seems right for you.

Will the laser damage my skin or cause injury? There is some redness which occurs immediately after a treatment. This may be accompanied by slight stinging. This rarely lasts longer than 30 to 60 minutes after the treatment. In rare cases, we have seen blistering. The margin of safety of the lasers used by The Vein and Laser Center is quite high. We have not had a significant skin injury.

Are laser treatments available at all locations? Not yet. At the present time, laser therapy is only available at the Hanover office.