Laser for Red Spots, Spider Veins on Face & Post-Acne Redness
If you have acne scars, redness from rosacea, telangiectasias (fine spider veins in the cheeks and around the nose), hemangiomas, cherry angiomas on the body, port wine stains, and poikiloderma of civatte, the KTP laser might be the right facial treatment for you. Dr. Farzad R. Nahai at The Center for Plastic Surgery at MetroDerm, P.C. has had excellent results in treating his patients who had these conditions. Patients can expect more even, glowing and smoother skin tones which convey a more rested, youthful appearance without the down time of other therapies.
How the KTP Laser Works
KTP stands for the Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP), and this crystal is used as the laser medium, producing a wavelength of 532 nanometers. The KTP laser only targets the oxy-hemoglobin in your blood, thereby leaving surrounding structures and tissue unaffected. The laser beam passes through the skin and penetrates, shrinks, or ablates the targeted vessel. The blood vessel walls then collapse, seal, and later dissolve within the body, thus diminishing or eliminating their appearance. Due to genetics, hormones, sun exposure, and aging, the development of new veins may reoccur and additional treatments may therefore be necessary.
For some conditions, like the treatment of tiny blood vessels around the nose, only one treatment is necessary. For the treatment of other conditions, such as red marks left behind from old acne lesions, you may need up to three treatments. There is no downtime after the KTP laser treatment and the treatments may be performed before your acne is completely clear (the energy of the laser can even help clear the acne faster). The KTP laser treatment itself is not painful; it feels like a tiny rubber band snap on your skin with no residual pain after the treatment is completed. If you have tried other treatments for red marks, such as topical medications and chemical peels, and you didn’t have the results you were hoping for, the KTP laser may be your solution.
What to Expect During the Treatment
The procedure will require the patient to wear protective eyewear throughout the treatment. The treatment consists of placing a hand piece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser. Many patients describe each pulse to feel like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin. The KTP laser has a contact cooling device that is applied to the skin’s surface to eliminate discomfort for most patients. Anesthetics are not needed, though patients with very sensitive skin may apply a numbing cream 30 minutes before the procedure if desired. An average treatment takes 15 minutes. Most patients require 1 to 3 treatments for optimal results.
No Down Time After KTP Laser Therapy
You can return to work the same day and resume most of your regular activities. Once you have returned home, wash the area with a mild soap and gently pat dry, then apply a soothing moisturizer to the skin. Avoid excessive sun exposure for 4 weeks or more after your treatment. Be sure to wear a good sunscreen, with a spf of 30 or more, every day.
Make an appointment with Dr. Farzad R. Nahai at The Center for The Plastic Surgery Center at MetroDerm, P.C. in Atlanta, GA for a consultation. He is an experienced expert at diagnosing and determining the right treatment for your skin problems. The center attracts patients from all over the Atlanta Metro area including Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Vinings.