Facial Veins & Facial Blush

The treatment of facial and neck small vessels at the Vein and Skin Clinic.

Treatment Options

IPL (intense pulsed light) and vascular lasers use light energy to destroy spider veins. This is an alternative to microsclerotherapy. IPL is very effective on tiny spider veins, blush areas, spider naevi and poikiloderma of civatte (tiny red vessels and pigmentation changes of the neck and upper decolletage area).

The Vein and Skin Clinic uses the state of the art Lumenis 1One platform which integrates two highly effective technologies to treat leg veins, spider veins and benign vascular lesions.

The versatility of IPL at a range of 515 to 1200nm (nano metres) for reaching the small and superficial red vessels and high energy pulsed laser light at 1064nm to treat deeper blue veins.

Laser treatment causes the reticular and spider veins to seal and close off. An additional benefit is that the long wave length laser energy easily passes through the melanin barrier of the skin surface and doesn't interfere with pigment, enabling successful treatment of any skin type and at any time during the year. There is only minor discomfort to the patient, no down time and no compression hosiery needed. Usually a few sessions are required for maximum benefit.

The Lumenins 1One multi application platform can successfully treat a broad range of vascular conditions such as rosacea, port wine stains (birth marks), hemangiomas (blood blisters), vascular lesions as well as the reticular and spider veins.

Q. How does high tech laser/light technology compare to traditional micro sclerotherapy?

A. The combined light sources on the Lumenis 1One platform: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and Nd:YAG 1064 laser offer some important benefits over injection sclerotherapy. The combination of IPL and Nd:YAG therapy allows treatment of injectable leg veins as well as matting and small spider vessels that may be too small to inject. In addition laser/light therapy is rapid, perhaps less painful and minimally invasive without the use of needles. It also typically does not require compression hosiery.

Side Effects.

Redness and swelling.
These are the most typical side effects post treatment and usually solve over a couple of days.

Blister.
There is always the slight possibility of developing a crust or blister. This is superficial, and rarely results in any scarring. A crust or blister is treated like sunburn or any other blister and may take from five to ten days to heal. Slight itchiness may be felt in the healing area.

Pigment changes.
The treated areas will probably heal without any pigmentation changes. However there is always the slight chance that hyper-pigmentation (darker) or hypo-pigmentation (lighter) areas may occur. These are generally temporary and will fade within one to six months. Sun exposure must be avoided three to four weeks prior to and post therapy, as exposure to the sun may intensify hyper-pigmentation. In very rare cases, the change of pigment may last longer or be permanent.

Scarring.
Is very rare and it is important to follow all the post treatment instructions carefully in order to prevent infection.

Excessive Swelling.
Swelling may occur immediately after treatment, especially after nose or cheek treatment. This is temporary and usually subsides within hours or occasionally may take a few days. Cold compresses or a hydrocortisone preparation or tablets may reduce swelling.

Fragile Skin.
Treated skin should be touched gently for a few days. It should not be rubbed vigorously and when applying makeup pat gently. Makeup can be applied immediately after treatment as long as the skin is not broken. If that occurs you may be given some antibiotic cream to apply. Skin may be pink in this area for up to six weeks.

Bruising.
Very rarely a blue-purple bruise (purpura) may appear on the treated area. It may last from five to fifteen days. As the bruise fades there may be brown discolouration of the skin, which generally fades over one to three months.

These are usually minimal and of a limited nature. The majority will settle with time.

Book A Consultation

The cost of this procedure varies according to the areas that require treatment and whether the area is treated alone or in conjunction with other areas. (This is most common).

To book a consultation with one of our cosmetic nurses please Contact Us through our enquiry form or by phoning Vein & Skin Clinic on 0800 639 968.