What is pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment?
Are you bothered by red-colored skin abnormalities like birthmarks, moles, or spider veins? Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) Treatment can lessen and even remove a variety of unwanted skin pigmentations.
The Pulsed Dye Laser, or PDL uses a concentrated beam of light to target blood vessels in the skin. The light is converted into heat, destroying the blood vessels while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Is pulsed dye laser safe?
The PDL uses yellow light, which is very safe and does not result in any long-term skin damage. Treatment usually only takes a few minutes during an outpatient clinic visit.
PDL treatments do not require anesthesia, only a topical numbing cream. The laser pulse produces a burst of cold air which helps reduce any discomfort.
PDL treatments have been around for a few decades now, with dozens of studies showing their safety and efficacy for a number of skin blemishes.
What can pulsed dye laser treat?
Pulsed Dye Lasers are commonly used to reduce red markings on the skin caused by blood vessels such as:
- Angiomas and hemangiomas
- Facial redness
- Facial veins and broken capillaries
- Poikiloderma
- Port Wine birthmarks
- Rosacea
- Hypertrophic scars
- Keloids
- Stretch Marks
- Warts
- Spider veins
What is PDL treatment like?
Pulsed Dye Laser treatment takes only about thirty minutes and there is little to no downtime.
Patients are given goggles to protect their eyes during the procedure. The feeling of the laser is sometimes compared to the brief snap of a rubber band, and may create a small bruise. An ice pack applied to the area immediately after treatment should alleviate any discomfort.
PDL can be used on children, and they may be given a topical numbing cream or cooling agent to make them more comfortable. Children under 10 may be given general anesthesia.
How many treatments are necessary?
Most patients see noticeable results after one to three treatments. That said, it can take 6 to 8 weeks after treatment to see full results, so be patient. Some conditions, such as port wine stains, scars, keloids, and extensive rosacea, may need more treatments.
Interested in Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)? Book a consultation with Forefront today.
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