Ipl Laser For Facial Veins
Facial veins can be treated without surgery or needles with laser therapy. To stop blood vessels from protruding through the skin, it employs light radiation to destroy them. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-laser method of treating spider veins and other skin diseases with bright light. Intense pulsed light (IPL) can treat spider veins on the face by heating and destroying the vessel walls. Veins eventually fade away and collapse due to this process.
If you don’t want to have surgery or have a medical condition that makes surgery too risky, laser therapy is an excellent alternative. You can get even better effects by combining it with another aesthetic surgery, like Botox or fillers.
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when the only way to get rid of facial veins was through a painful and expensive series of laser treatments. There were also few options if you felt that laser wasn’t an option or if you simply wanted to take the least invasive approach. Read on to learn more on ipl for spider veins on legs and best home ipl for spider veins.
Ipl Laser For Facial Veins
Both men and women are susceptible to spider veins of the face. In fact, at least 20-25 million Americans are affected by vein disease, making spider veins one of the more common chronic conditions.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a mild, non-invasive procedure with minimal side effects. Read on to learn more about this popular facial spider vein treatment and what you can do to prevent future broken capillaries.
What Are Broken Capillaries?
As our bodies age, our skin becomes thinner, and this thinning of the skin makes veins more visible. Certain elements, including sun exposure and inflammatory diseases such as acne or rosacea, frequently cause damage to blood vessel walls, leading to broken capillaries. Aside from causing facial redness and insecurities, broken capillaries are generally harmless and cause no pain or discomfort. Once broken, these veins will not return to their normal size or repair themselves.
Common Causes
Certain contributing factors increase your likelihood of getting spider veins of the face. Certain conditions frequently cause spider veins, and there is little you can do to prevent them.
Common causes include:
- Genetics. For unknown reasons, spider veins tend to run in families. Individual risk factors also increase with age.
- Gender. Women are more commonly affected than men.
- Rosacea. This common skin condition leads to excessive redness and flushing. With rosacea, broken blood vessels are common.
- Sun exposure. Excessive sun exposure can enlarge your blood vessels. If you get a sunburn, the top layer of skin may peel and temporarily make some of the blood vessels in your face more noticeable.
- Alcohol consumption. Moderate or occasional alcohol consumption can cause your skin to flush due to the enlargement of blood vessels. Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use can eventually lead to spider veins.
- Pregnancy. An increase in estrogen hormones during pregnancy can lead to broken blood vessels. Pregnancy-related spider veins heal on their own after delivery. Skin changes are common in pregnancy.
- Hormones. Birth control pills and the hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause increase the likelihood of broken capillaries.
- Injuries. Minor to significant injuries can lead to bruising. With bruises on your face, broken blood vessels may also be noticeable.
- Vomiting or sneezing. Sudden, extreme pressure in your face from a violent sneeze or a vomiting spell can break the blood vessels in the skin.
- Weather changes. Hot weather increases blood vessel dilation
- Environmental or chemical irritants.
Treating Spider Veins With IPL Therapy
IPL, or intense pulsed light, uses a non-laser high-intensity source of light to treat spider veins, as well as a variety of other skin conditions. IPL treats facial spider veins by first heating and then damaging the walls of the blood vessel. This process causes the veins to collapse and disappear over time. IPL affects only the lower layers of the skin, rather than the top to allow it to reach deeper structures without burning the surface of the skin.
As with other spider vein treatments, IPL causes the walls of the treated vein to collapse and form scar tissue. Eventually, these veins will be reabsorbed by the body and fade away after several weeks.
What To Expect During Treatments
IPL uses many wavelengths of light simultaneously. As a result, the treatment is most effective on veins that are visible at the surface of the skin. This treatment therapy is sometimes more effective for spider veins on the face, rather than on another part of the body.
During the procedure, you may feel a hot snapping or pinching sensation from the light pulses. Most patients do not find the treatment painful, especially when compared to other traditional forms of vein removal procedures.
The entire treatment will be performed in our office and takes 15-45 minutes, depending on the location and the number of veins being treated. Multiple sessions may also be required 4-6 weeks apart before the veins fade after several weeks.
Preventing Future Broken Capillaries
Be proactive in preventing future broken facial capillaries by:
- Be gentle when you wash your face.
- Avoid extreme heat from spas, saunas, or hot weather.
- Limit sun exposure by applying sunscreen to your face. Wearing a hat, and long layers of clothing can also help to reduce the chances of spider veins from sun damage.
- Treat any sources of skin inflammation like acne and rosacea quickly.
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation and vein strength.
- Be mindful of alcohol consumption. Even moderate drinking can cause redness and broken blood vessels.
Is IPL Therapy Right For You?
Before undergoing any type of vein therapy, it’s recommended to identify if you have other underlying vein issues, such as varicose veins or venous insufficiency. Spider veins that develop after IPL will require additional treatments. Call Hinsdale Vein & Laser to schedule a consultation where we can discuss if IPL is the right treatment option for you.
Ipl For Spider Veins On Legs
IPL directly treats spider veins by damaging the walls of the blood vessel by applying heat to it. Once the blood vessel is damaged, it will eventually disappear and be reabsorbed by the body. IPL is effective because it treats the lower layers of the skin.
Spider veins develop for various reasons, they can be connected to genetics, pregnancy, increasing age, obesity, and sun damage. Unfortunately, spider veins can make you feel extremely self-conscious especially when they are on visible parts of your body that you can’t necessary always conceal. If not treated immediately, spider veins can become worse with time. They can appear darker and bigger and ultimately harder to get rid of. If you’re exploring options that will help eliminate these unwanted veins, IPL for Spider Veins can be the solution you’ve been looking for!
Intense-Pulsed Light Treatment (IPL) utilizes a light source to reduce their appearance and rejuvenate the skin. IPL directly treats spider veins by damaging the walls of the blood vessel by applying heat to it. Once the blood vessel is damaged, it will eventually disappear and be reabsorbed by the body. IPL is effective because it treats the lower layers of the skin. The light penetrates the skin affecting the spider veins without damaging the surface of the skin. Additionally, IPL is effective because it has the capability to treat both larger and smaller areas because the amount of heat from each wavelength can be manipulated.
Spider veins can appear anywhere on the body, however you’re more than likely to see spider veins on your face and legs. IPL works well on most skin types to reduce and eliminate their appearance however, darker skin tones might affect your results. The procedure can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. If you need a larger area to be treated, then you may require multiple treatment sessions. The light pulses emit heat that may feel like a pinch, most patients don’t find it painful and only experience minor discomfort. There is no downtime required after your treatment, therefore you can resume your normal everyday activities.
The veins that IPL treats will not return since they have been damaged by heat. However, it is important to note that new spider veins can develop. If new spider veins are formed, you will need additional treatments to reduce their appearance. IPL can also be effective on small varicose veins, however if you have large areas impacted with varicose veins you’re are likely going to need additional treatments to eliminate their appearance. Varicose veins are abnormally large and protrude out of the skin. They are normally blue, purple, or skin-colored and look like bulging vessels. IPL is most effective when the veins aren’t as dilated and raised above the surface of the skin.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is one of the top light-based therapy treatments that currently exist, and every day more people around the world find out about its benefits as they use it to remove their acne, broken capillaries, stretch marks, and much more. Yet, the procedure has not been fully rosy for everybody and it is not difficult to find reports of various people being unhappy about their treatment.
While IPL remains highly recommended, there are some side effects most people are unaware of before they begin the treatment. This leads to people coming out of the procedure with much worse skin than they had before they started, which nobody wants. To make sure that you don’t fall into the same traps as countless others, we will be discussing the potential impact of IPL on your skin, including whether it can give you burns, affect your skin texture, and much more.
Can IPL Ruin Your Skin?
While you may have read about countless dangers of IPL, the chances of your skin being damaged by IPL are very few. This mostly lies in the technology behind the procedure. IPL is non-invasive and non-ablative, which means that the light beams can target the lower layers of your skin without affecting the top layers. This makes the procedure highly safe, while also resulting in little downtime.
Essentially, if you take the right steps before getting your IPL, then you should only expect to come out on the other side of the treatment looking fresh and revitalized. Unfortunately, many people read about the potential benefits of IPL and jump into the procedure without doing much research, which is where things can start to go wrong.
While IPL is a fantastic procedure with marvellous benefits, it is not for everybody. There are certain skin tones that we suggest do not use an IPL treatment at any time, because it can easily lead to hyperpigmentation or discoloration. Additionally, IPL may not be the best solution for all issues, and you should speak to a skin therapist or licensed provider before you undergo the treatment.
Does IPL Change Skin Texture?
If you have any texture-related skin issues, then IPL is one of the top options to help solve this. During your treatments, the heat from the technology will help to destroy older or dead cells in the target area, which will then help to stimulate the growth of newer and healthier cells.
Naturally, these newer cells will be much firmer and richer in proteins such as elastin or collagen. So, after your IPL treatment, your skin will feel much firmer and supple. Additionally, any imperfections or issues in that problem area will be reduced or turn completely invisible. This will help to improve the level of your appearance, giving you a more youthful and vibrant look.
Will IPL Burn Marks Go Away?
While burns are extremely rare when you undergo an IPL treatment, they may still happen, and you should remain wary of this. In any case, if you do receive a burn from an IPL, don’t fret, it will generally go away over time and you should not expect any lasting effects.
However, you should still speak to your provider if you do notice any burn. This can be extremely helpful, especially if you still have more sessions in your treatment plan. Once your skin therapist is aware of the burn, they will give you the best tips on how to manage it, while also ensuring that the settings on the device are more suitable for your skin during the next session.
Can IPL Cause Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is one of the possible side effects of IPL and other light-based therapy treatments. However, this may depend on the type of procedure that you desire to use the IPL for. To ensure that this does not affect you, we suggest that you speak to your skin therapist about the dangers of hyperpigmentation on your skin before you begin your treatment.
Another factor that can lead to hyperpigmentation is your skin tone. As hyperpigmentation is caused by an excess production of melanin, those with dark tones are naturally at a higher risk. This is why we always recommend that you stay away from IPL if you have darker skin, as the chances of hyperpigmentation are extremely high.
If you have a medium skin tone and are unsure about the potential effects that the therapy may have, then you should speak to your provider about this. They will examine your skin and decide if the treatment is going to be safe for you.
What Are The Dangers Of IPL?
We have already discussed many of the risks associated with IPL, such as burning, hyperpigmentation, scarring, etc. Unfortunately, while many of these side effects can be avoided, many clients and providers do not take the necessary precautions before an IPL treatment, leading to several health risks and damage to the skin.
To ensure that you are not affected, you should make sure that you do the following before an IPL treatment:
1. Follow the Instructions of Your Provider :
Before you begin your IPL procedure, your skin therapist will likely give you a set of instructions to follow. This can range from not shaving your hair immediately before a hair removal treatment to staying away from the sun for a given period. If you receive any of these instructions, you must follow them.
You should remember, any guidance that your skin therapist provides is for your care and will aid in stopping any side effects. So, if you are unable to follow them, we suggest that you speak to your provider about the possibility of rescheduling. Following these guidelines will also ensure that you see the maximum benefits of any treatment.
2. Enquire About The Training of Your Service Provider:
The therapist delivering your IPL must not only be well versed in using the technology but must also be able to understand the impact that the treatment will have on your skin. Such knowledge can be a key factor in stopping any side effects. However, because IPL can be extremely exciting, most people simply dive into the first hands offering them the treatment, regardless of their experience.
Before you begin your sessions, you should engage in a detailed conversation about IPL treatments with your provider. You should also try and discover the level of experience or training that they have in treating your condition. So, if you would like to use IPL for Rosacea, but a therapist does not have much training or experience in treating this, then we suggest that you seek another provider.
You must also ask your provider about the potential health risks of using IPL to treat the issue that you are facing. This will mean that you will not be thrown off by any side effects if they occur. Understanding the potential health risks will also allow you to weigh your options. So, if you are highly uncomfortable with burning and feel that it is not worth the risk, you may want to find other types of treatments.
3. Speak to Your Provider About Your Current Medication:
IPL is likely not the first solution that you have sought out for your skin issue and you may already be on some form of medication. If this is the case, then we suggest that you speak to your provider about this before the treatment, especially if they make your skin more sensitive to light.
Such medication can easily lead to adverse effects, such as burning or scarring. However, if your skin therapist is aware of the medication, they can examine it and determine if it is safe to continue using during IPL. On the other hand, if you would like to continue the medication while on IPL, they can also adjust the intensity of the light to accommodate for its effects, which should help reduce the possibility of any health risks.
How Long Does It Take For Dark Spots To Fade After IPL?
IPL for dark spots is another highly popular use of the treatment, and one of the common questions we get is, “how quickly will my dark spots fade after IPL?” Fortunately, the process for treating dark spots is relatively quick and it shouldn’t take long before you begin to see good progress.
Generally, your dark spots should begin to fade within two weeks of your first session, though this will depend on various factors, such as how deeply the pigment is located. In any case, you should see huge gains after you complete your first full treatment and your skin should look much more uniform.
However, you should not expect your dark spots to completely fade after just one treatment. So, if you would like further progress, we suggest that you speak to your provider about the possibility of another treatment. You must remember, IPL is a gradual process, and you can only see continuous improvement if you stick to your treatment plan.
Best Home Ipl For Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, red or bluish veins that can develop in the skin. They usually appear on the legs and face.
In most cases, spider veins are harmless. However, they can be unsightly and sometimes painful. In addition, they can increase your risk of developing varicose veins or venous thrombosis.
Spider veins can occur on their own or be associated with other problems such as varicose veins or venous insufficiency. If your symptoms are severe enough to bother you, you may want to consider treatments available at a doctor’s office or clinic.
Treatment options include:
Medications
Sclerotherapy (injections) using sclerosing agents such as polidocanol to destroy the blood vessels that feed the spider vein
Laser therapy/photocoagulation (using a laser beam) to destroy blood vessels feeding the spider vein.
Spider veins are a common problem for many people. These small, red lines can appear on the legs and face and can be unsightly. Spider veins are more than just an aesthetic problem, though. They can also cause pain and discomfort.
There are several ways to treat spider veins, including sclerotherapy injections, laser therapy and surgical removal. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins because it requires no downtime after treatment and is relatively inexpensive. It does involve injecting a chemical solution into the vein so it will scar shut over time.
Laser treatment for spider veins also involves injecting a chemical solution into the vein but uses light energy instead of needles to close it off. This treatment takes longer than sclerotherapy injections but usually results in fewer visible scars afterward.
Surgery is another option for treating spider veins because it can be effective at removing the entire vein from sight but may leave scars or require multiple surgeries over time while waiting for new spider veins to appear again.
The best home ipl for spider veins is the Veinlite Vein Lighter. It is a handheld device that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to remove spider veins on the legs.
Spider veins are small and superficial, so they can be treated with a variety of procedures. Surgery is one option, but it’s expensive, requires anesthesia and isn’t always successful. Laser treatments can be effective but aren’t always covered by insurance.
The Veinlite Vein Lighter works much like laser treatments without the expense or downtime associated with surgery or laser therapy. It uses intense pulsed light (IPL) technology to destroy unwanted blood vessels in their early stages before they become more visible or painful.
There are several skin care treatment these days that promise younger smoother skin and a few that are touted as the “Gold Standard” by Doctors for achieving the desired results. Even many that are approved by the FDA as being safe and effective from the IPL (intense pulsed light) Photo Facial to fillers such as Botox cosmetic should be entered into with discretion. I know many women and men that have used these treatments with great results, but some have had lesser talked about adverse reactions that have only worsened the problems. I personally have experienced the latter and want to share my experiences with you as a cautionary tale for anyone considering this treatment. This is the first in a series about my own issues with the IPL laser treatments.
The IPL photo facial can treat a variety of skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation (brown spots), sun damage, broken capillaries, spider veins, and facial redness. An IPL is non-ablative and emits a high intensity broad band blast of light at very high energy levels through a hand-held device. It delivers to the deeper part of the dermis while the epidermis layer or surface layer is untouched. The treatment takes on average 20-30 minutes with no real downtime. Some IPLs have cooling devices, but it can still be uncomfortable, or even painful depending on your tolerance level. The average treatment costs $300-$500
I had tried treatments in 2006 with good results so in 2010 just prior to closing my skin care spa I noticed a few new areas of hyperpigmentation showing up on my face. I realized that these areas were probably popping up due to a peel that I had recently had at the Dermatologists office. At the time they weren’t dire just annoying, especially because I took such good care of my skin … But within a month or so they were looking a bit darker so I decide to have a few IPL (intense -pulsed light) photo facials to see if it would help. I asked a few professionals I knew for referrals but ultimately I returned to the very reputable establishment that had previously treated me, if for no other reason than familiarity and because I liked the owner.
As the first zap of the laser ( much like the feeling of a rubber band) touched down on my skin over and over I remembered how intense the feeling was, but I was comforted by the provider that this would help encourage the collagen production in my skin and zap those dark patches.
Example of the average results from an IPL
When the treatment was finished all I could think about was the hot feeling in my face as if I had received a major sunburn, but I was eager for the results that I would experience as my face healed. I was given a cooling ice pack to help combat the hot feeling in my face and scheduled my next appointment knowing that for the IPL treatments to be really successful I would need a series of three to five. Once at home I examined the state of my very warm skin…. This time the dark patches had “crisped” up ( my nickname for the scab like patches that appear after your spots have been zapped) with such intensity that I was a tad taken aback. I now realize the I was probably burned in the first treatment and applying cooling packs for more than just a few minutes was not a good idea.
Within days the spots naturally exfoliated off and my skin looked great… But within a week or two there seemed to be a whole new crop of pigmentation on my face that the laser brought forth. I mentioned this in detail at my second appointment and was told in a cheerful but dismissive manner that the laser was doing its job and not to worry. Afterwards the “crisped” areas seemed to multiply… And this time I was really concerned. Being in the skin care business I know enough about the subject to know the potential dangers and I know how pigmentation can be exacerbated.
Within a week post treatment once I realized that I now had even more pigmentation I called the office to voice my concerns and questions – Was the thermal heat from the laser creating more pigmentation and multiplying the original problem? Or could it be that the temperature might have been a bit too much for me? Unfortunately my concerns were eschewed away and even responded to in a manner as if to say that I was being silly… Remember, I have been in the skin care business for a while myself so I am not your average consumer. I was again told more treatments were necessary to achieve the desired result.
Even after a discussion with one of the owners, I was told that my concerns of the thermal heat from the laser causing dermal scarring was something “they had never even heard of”. At this point there was a cautionary voice in the back of my mind, a red light if you will that I should have listened to, but because I didn’t want my face to look like this forever I reconsidered, rationalizing that if they said one more treatment was really going to help then I would give it a try just one more time. I should have known better.