Vascular Treatment

• The number of treatment sessions required varies from patient to patient – many lesions will clear after just one treatment.  The duration of each session will depend upon your individual needs.
• The Gentle Pro™ lasers have a unique, integral skin cooling system, so most patients find Gentle Pro™ treatments extremely tolerable.
• Some people experience a sensation similar to having an elastic band snapped against the skin during treatment.
• You will be able to resume normal activities after each session, but you may be given specific advice, such as avoiding sun or abrasive skin cleansers on treated skin for a few days.
• After the treatment, a cool compress or gel pack may be applied. If you do have any redness or swelling after treatment, this should resolve in a couple of hours.
• Permanent side effects are rare but should be discussed with your practitioner.
• You should always follow specific instructions from your healthcare provider.

There are a number of effects of a laser treatment.  These are common and include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Blistering/Crusting
• Darkening
• General warm sensation

These can last from several hours to up to 14 days.  This depends on each person’s skin and how it will react.  Most side effects are expected to last no more than 7 days.  Ice packs, cold compresses and antibiotic creams (for the blisters) can help with healing.  DO NOT peel off any of the crusting but rather allow it to heal on its own.

If any of the conditions worsen or do not heal over time, you will need to consult your doctor.

Freckles, capillaries, spider veins, and other skin pigmentation that was the target of the treatment may become darker for 2 weeks following the treatment.  This will eventually give way to a lightening of the area.

Areas of the body that were targeted for hair removal will continue to grow hair.  Some of this hair will follow out on its own.  The remainder will grow less dense after each laser treatment.  In order to completely work through the area, multiple treatments will be required.  This is because each hair follicle grows in different stages.  Approximately 20% reduction of hair growth noted 4 – 8 weeks following each procedure.

Tips for a better recovery:

1. Avoid hot water on the treated area
2. If part of the treatment included any part of your face, wash your face with soap-free skin cleansing gel, micellar water, or just water.  Continue to do this for the first 2 to 3 days post treatment.  Do not dry your face by rubbing with a towel as this can cause irritation.
3. Treat the target area with Aloe Vera to help with any discomfort.  You can also apply gentle skin creams that provide some SPF protection such as CeraVe or Alantan.
4. Keep the treated area covered with sunscreen (one that protects against UV rays and is SPF 50).
5. If the target areas include the underarms, avoid using deodorant/antiperspirant for 2 weeks as this may irritate the skin.
6. Avoid sun (as well as ultraviolet light and tanning beds) as much as possible as this may cause spots that will need several months to fade.  If this is not possible, ensure sunscreen is on for 4 weeks following the treatment and do your best to cover the area with light material.
7. Avoid skin care products that may irritate the skin, such as scrubs, exfoliants, and alpha/beta hydroxy acid for at least 2 weeks.
8. Avoid exercise for 24 hours after the treatment.
9. Avoid excessive heat from saunas, steam rooms, or hot showers/baths.
10. Avoid irritating the area with clothing.  Ideally, wear light colored cotton.
11. Do not use hairspray
12. If you think you may have an infection, call your doctor right away.

• Your skin should be completely clean and dry prior to treatment. Remove or omit application of any skin care products on the day of treatment.
• AVOID THE SUN – The area to be treated should not be exposed to sun 4- 6 weeks prior to treatment. If you are in the sun during this time you should defer treatment until a later date.
• Treatment of tanned skin may cause blistering or possible hypopigmentation which may last for 3-6 months.
• Avoid using tanning creams, spray tans, or any type of temporary pigmented creams prior to treatment.
• Patients who have a darker Fitzpatrick Skin Type (V-VI) may have an increased risk of hypopigmentation (white spots) or hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Consult your provider.
• Patients with a history of the following conditions may not be good candidates for laser treatment and should consult their primary care provider when considering treatment.
• Stop any topical medications or skin care products 3-5 days prior to treatment.
• If you have had a history of perioral or genital herpes simplex virus, your provider may recommend a prophylactic antiviral therapy. Follow the directions for your particular antiviral medication.
• If you have a tan or have a darker Fitzpatrick Skin Type, a bleaching regimen may be started at least 2 weeks before treatment.
• RECENTLY TANNED SKIN CANNOT BE TREATED! If treated within 2 weeks of active (natural sunlight or tanning booth) tanning, you may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) after treatment and this may not clear for 2-3 months or more.
• The use of self-tanning skin products must be discontinued one week before treatment. Any residual selftanner should be removed prior to treatment.
• The area intended for the treatment needs to be shaved no earlier than 24 hours prior to the treatment.
• Ensure the skin is thoroughly cleaned before your treatment.

• The heat from the laser pulses may be slightly uncomfortable during and immediately following treatment. Cold gel packs/ice can be applied to reduce discomfort.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature, such as hot baths, jacuzzi, and saunas.  Instead only take showers with slightly warm water.
• If legs were treated, elevate your legs to decrease discomfort, especially when large areas are treated.
• If part of the treatment included any part of your face, wash your face with soap-free skin cleansing gel, micellar water, or just water.  Continue to do this for the first 2 to 3 days post treatment.  Do not dry your face by rubbing with a towel as this can cause irritation.
• Tylenol is recommended for any pain, as needed.
• AVOID THE SUN completely after treatment and continue for 2 weeks to reduce hyperpigmentation. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 zinc oxide or titanium dioxide with UV A/B sunblock.
• Avoid using products that may irritate the treated skin.  This includes products containing alcohol, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic/glycolic acid, acids, scrubs, astringents, etc.
• Avoid applying makeup to the treated area for 3 days.  You can apply mineral cosmetic products but no sooner than 24 hours after treatment.   
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after treatment. Consult your provider.
• Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours after treatment.
• Compression stockings may or may not be recommended by your provider.
• Your individual vein may appear bruised or darker red following treatment. This discoloration will fade over the next few weeks. If on the legs, brown discoloration may take several months to fade.
• Your provider may recommend the application of a topical antibiotic ointment if blistering occurs.
• Drink 1.5 litres of water every day to help with healing.  Add freshly squeezed lemon or grapefruit juice.

• Vasoconstriction of facial and leg veins, transient urticaria.
• Gradual fading over several weeks to months.
• Purpura may occur and commonly resolves within 14 days.
• Additional treatments may be performed to achieve desired vessel response.