FYI Cosmetics

Telangiectasias, more commonly known as spider veins, are the small thin clusters of blue, red or purple veins that reside close to the surface of the skin and commonly appear on the legs and face. While spider veins are connected to the deep venous system, these surface veins are of no benefit to those who have them. There are many causes of telangiectasias, the most common of which are heredity, hormones, weight gain, trauma, prolonged standing and certain medications. Spider veins can come in several forms, they can appear as a true spider shape—dark in the center surrounded by smaller vessels radiating out from it, as tiny branch like shapes or as simple linear lines. Symptoms associated with spider veins range from aching and burning to swelling and cramping; these symptoms are most often experienced at night.

Because telangiectasias are so common among individuals (it is estimated that over 50% of females have some form of spider veins) several treatments have been developed to help combat them. Before undergoing treatment however, it is important to know there is no cure for spider veins and there is no way to prevent new ones from appearing—these treatments are specifically designed to treat the already existing spider veins. However, by treating existing spider veins patients will have assistance with both the visible signs of telangiectasias as well as the symptoms associated with it. This will allow patients to relieve symptoms and experience spider vein free skin.

For spider veins, removal can be done in one of three ways: with sclerotherapy, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments or laser vein removal treatments. Some surgical vein procedures may also eliminate spider veins however this is secondary to the removal of a larger varicose or feeder vein and would not be performed to treat telangiectasias alone.

Sclerotherapy – Sclerotherapy is a popular method that is used to help eliminate spider veins. This treatment involves a very small needle being injected superficially into the spider vein followed by a small amount of an irritant solution. The solution results in an internal swelling of the vein, which causes it to shut itself down; once shut down the body eliminates it naturally. Several treatments can be required to remove all present veins. Side effects can include redness swelling, bruising, scabs, scarring and skin ulcerations in the treatment area as well as allergic reaction to treatment solutions.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – IPL treatments for spider veins utilize pulsed laser light to reach and treat problem veins. The laser energy penetrates though the outer layers of skin to target the veins below. Pulsed light technology reaches and treats veins at multiple levels; the heat from the light cauterizes veins so that they may be cut off from the blood supply. Once cut off from the blood supply, it will be naturally absorbed and eradicated by the body.

Laser Spider Vein Removal – Laser spider vein removal is similar to IPL but differs in that true lasers utilize one continuous light wavelength that penetrates the skin at one specific depth. The light intensity light energy used by the laser can be accurately directed toward the problem veins. The heated vein is effectively cauterized which cuts off its blood supply. With no blood to supply the vein, the body then breaks down the vessel and eradicates it naturally through the lymphatic system.

Before undergoing telangiectasias or spider vein removal, be sure to do adequate research in order to determine the right course of treatment for you.

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is one of the many non-invasive aesthetic laser devices available to practitioners and patients for skin and body rejuvenation. IPL technology is similar to true laser technology in that it emits a concentrated beam of laser light, but while true lasers target and treat at one specific wavelength depth, intense pulsed light reaches and treats many different skin depths by emitting multiple wavelengths of light. While this makes IPL less effective for some aesthetic treatments such as tattoo removal and cellulite reduction, it makes it more useful for aesthetic procedure such as skin tightening and skin rejuvenation. When considering any aesthetic treatment, speak with your practitioner beforehand about the laser devices being used; be sure you are undergoing treatment with the most precise laser technology available.

Skin Tightening/Skin Rejuvenation

Skin tightening and skin rejuvenation techniques with the IPL laser are always very effective for tightening loose and sagging skin, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, and giving the skin a smoother, more uniform appearance. When the intense pulsed light laser is passed over the treatment area it penetrates through the outer layers of skin and targets multiple depths in the dermis layers below. The laser energy transforms into heat and that heat causes localized damage to the lower tissue layers. The damage caused by the heat of the laser effectively stimulates the natural growth of collagen within the skin.

Collagen is one of the natural building blocks of our skin—it is what gives the skin its smooth, firm appearance. As men and women age, their collagen growth within the skin slowly decreases, it is this decrease that causes the formation of wrinkles, fine lines and loose and sagging skin. By stimulating collagen growth, the IPL treatments effectively fill in fine lines and wrinkles from the inside out. This is the most effective method for rejuvenating and tightening loose and lax skin.

Permanent Hair Reduction

When performing skin tightening procedures, many practitioners realized that one of the side effects of the IPL treatment was the reduction of hair in the treatment area. There are several lasers currently on the market for the reduction of unwanted hair, and all but the intense pulsed light laser are true lasers. True lasers utilize one continuous wavelength of light which can accurately reach and treat hair at specific depths. The IPL laser can also treat and remove unwanted hair, but because it penetrates the skin at multiple wavelengths, treatments are not as precise. Now this isn’t to say that patients can’t see hair reduction success with the IPL laser, it simply means that on average, patients will have to undergo several more treatments with IPL technology than with true laser technology.

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Whether undergoing skin rejuvenation or hair removal treatments, know that after a series of intense pulsed light treatments, you will experience safe, effective results that last. Consult with your practitioner today and discover if aesthetic treatments with IPL are right for you.