Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-invasive treatment for spider veins, reticular veins, age spots, and a full range of benign lesions. Intense Pulsed Light delivers a concentrated pulse of light to the vein to be treated. The light heats the blood vessels, which causes damage to the vessel walls. As a result, the veins shrink and disappear. Intense Pulsed Light penetrates the unwanted vessel without damaging or scarring the surrounding tissue. Clinical results may vary with skin type. For example, people who sunburn easily usually have good results. On the other hand, people who tan easily tend to have more variation in response to treatment. Some patients in this latter category have excellent results, while some experience partial improvement, and others experience no improvement.
A typical Intense Pulsed Light
treatment is done in the office. The advantages of Intense
Pulsed Light are that it is non-invasive (no needles), nontoxic
(no sclerosing agent is used), and no anesthetic cream is
needed with treatment. After the treatment, patients may
resume normal activity. During the course of the treatment
sessions, patients are advised to limit sun exposure to
the treated areas. This may cause a severe sunburn right
after treatment. If a person is too tan, Intense Pulsed
Light treatment may have to stop until the tan has disappeared.
In this case, Sclerotherapy can still be used to resolve
spider and reticular veins. Intense Pulsed Light treatments
are given four (4) weeks apart.
It is worth noting that medical studies have also documented
exceptional results on Spider Veins using the Intense Pulsed
Laser. The Intense Pulsed Laser treatment allows customized
treatment of virtually every small vein disorder, including
deep veins and veins that did not respond to other treatment
methods. Moreover, results occurred with fewer sessions.
Intense Pulsed Laser (IPL) is the state-of-the-art, non-invasive
treatment to eradicate Spider and Reticular veins deep inside
the leg, while also being capable of treating shallow spider
veins closer to the skin's surface. Intense Pulsed Laser
is a real breakthrough in effectiveness and patient comfort.
The versatility and effectiveness of Intense Pulsed Laser
is extraordinary, and is one more example of our total commitment
to patient care.
The Intense Pulsed Laser system uses a patented and proprietary
technology that integrates full spectrum, intense pulsed
light, with high-energy, high-power, near-infrared pulsed
laser energy. This energy acts in a manner similar to Intense
Pulsed Light (IPL) in that it heats the blood vessels, which
causes damage to the vessel walls. As a result, the veins
shrink and disappear. It should be noted that Intense Pulsed
Laser selectively penetrates the unwanted vessel without
damage or scarring to surrounding tissue. Intense Pulsed
Laser treatment is performed in the office.
The Intense Pulsed Laser advantage is that it eliminates
the need for some surgery. After treatment, patients may
resume normal activity. During the course of treatment,
patients are advised to limit sun exposure on the treated
areas. Sun exposure may cause a severe sunburn right after
treatment. Intense Pulsed Laser technology can eradicate
both deep and shallow (small) vein problems in the same
session. Intense Pulsed Laser treatments are given three
(3) weeks apart
Normal side effects: At each pulse of light, the patient feels a sensation of being snapped by a rubber band. Some reddening of the skin appears after treatment which disappears in 1-2 days.
Adverse effects: Minimal and primarily short term. Possible side effects include: swelling, redness, bruising, blisters, hair loss, pigmentation change that is usually temporary, and in rare cases, scarring.
Indications for use: Port wine stains, reddish birthmarks, freckles, hemangiomas, spider veins, reticular veins, and hair removal.
Restrictions for use: Intense Pulsed Light cannot be used on people with very dark or black skin, pregnant women, people taking medications such as tetracycline and anticoagulants, patients who have had skin resurfacing procedures, and use on malepatients without the risk of hair loss. Those people who suffer from diabetes or have a history of keloid scarring, or any of the above listed situations should discuss the problem with Dr. Richardson before beginning treatment.
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