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Patient Instructions for Vbeam Treatment
Prior to treatment:
1) Avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks before and after treatment.
2) Aspirin should be discontinued 7 days prior to treatment (please check with your primary care physician if prescribed for medical reasons).
3) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) should be discontinued 3 days prior to treatment.
4) The following herbal supplements should be discontinued 7 days prior to treatment: gingko, ginseng, garlic, vitamin E, and iron.
5) If you have a history of perioral herpes (cold sores), antiviral medication will be prescribed prior to treatment.
Day of Treatment:
1) Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
2) You will be given a topical anesthetic (L.M.X) the day of your consultation. This should be applied to the treatment area prior to your appointment as prescribed.*
3) The skin must be clean and dry . do not apply lotions, perfumes, make-up, deodorant, etc. Do not use hairspray or other flammable products the day of treatment.
4) If applicable, take prescribed antiviral medication.
Post-treatment Instructions:
1) The treated area should be washed with mild soap and water twice daily. Pat the area dry (do not rub).
2) Cold compresses may be applied to the treated area for 15-20 minutes three times daily.
3) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken for discomfort.
4) Antihistamines (Benadryl) may be taken for itching.
The following may influence the ability to undergo treatment:
1) History of keloids
2) Pregnancy
3) Autoimmune disease
4) Failure to take pre-operative antiviral medication
5) Outbreak of perioral herpes (cold sores) at the time of treatment
6) History of Accutane, Tegison, or Aciterin within 1 year of treatment
7) Failure to sign the consent form
* L.M.X Instructions will be provided with patient sample.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Candela V Beam Vascular Laser
Q: How does the Candela V Beam work?
A: The Candela V Beam produces an intense but gentle burst of light that selectively destroys the blood vessels of your spider veins, without damaging the surrounding tissue. After laser treatment the surrounding tissue is left intact.
Q: Are there other ways to treat my vascular lesions?
A: For leg spider veins, some patients have received Sclerotherapy. This mode of therapy has been very effective in the past but can cause hyperpigmentation or pigment discoloration from 6 weeks to 24 months. Also, this mode of therapy can be painful and uncomfortable postoperatively, requiring specific care. For other types of vascular lesions, such as Port Wine Stain birthmarks, stretch marks, scars, facial spider veins, or warts, some patients have tried surgery, electrocautery, cryotherapy (freezing the area) or tattooing. These procedures often result in scarring or may leave an unsatisfactory result. Other lasers such as the Ruby Laser, Argon Laser, and CO2 Laser have also been used to treat vascular lesions. These lasers are not as specific to the destruction of the blood vessels in the vascular lesions and have resulted in scarring in many individuals. Because of the chance of scarring, the use of these lasers in infants and young children is not recommended. If you have been treated by other modalities which resulted in scarring or loss of pigment, the lesion may not respond as well with the Candela Laser therapy. The scarring or loss of pigment may become more evident after the treatment with the V Beam.
Q: Are there any reasons that would not make me a candidate for V Beam therapy?
A: The Candela V Beam is not recommended for patients who are darkly pigmented. Because of the increase in skin pigment the laser will be less effective on damaging the blood vessels of spider veins or other vascular lesion to be treated. The depth of penetration of the Candela V Beam is limited to vessels about 1.5 mm in depth. Therefore, vessels deeper than this may not respond to the therapy. Additionally, blue vessels may not respond as well as red ones.
Q: What should I expect from this laser treatment?
A: Treatment with the V Beam may consist of multiple treatments. For facial veins, one treatment may be sufficient for clearance but a second treatment is recommended for best results. These treatments occur on an average of every four to twelve weeks. Each individual situation may vary and it is best to discuss yours with your provider. The type of vascular lesion to be treated will determine the number of treatments needed. The red veins respond better than blue veins and the smaller, matting vessels will respond sooner than the vessels up to 1.5 mm in size. Port wine stain lesions have more vessels to be treated and require multiple treatments but the number of treatments is unknown in advance.
Q: Are there any adverse effects?
A: With any laser therapy there is a possibility for adverse effects. The following are adverse effects that may occur with the Candela V Beam: 1) The treated area may hyperpigment, or appear darker after the bruising/red discoloration heals. Normal skin color usually returns within 6 months after laser therapy. 2) Scarring is a risk with the use of any laser. The Candela V Beam has had no reported incidence of scarring. If the post treatment skin care instructions are not followed, this can increase the chance of scarring. 3) The treated area may show a slight depression after the laser treatments. This depression usually resolves within a few months.
Q: Will the laser treatment hurt?
A: The DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) which is built into the laser system delivers a short burst of spray of cryogen just prior to the laser pulse being delivered. The DCD has been instrumental in reducing pain associated with treatment, as well as reducing the possibility of blister/scab formation. In some instances, a topical cream anesthetic or local injection can be used if requested. The feeling of a laser pulse has been described as being snapped by a rubber band or slight stinging sensation. Following laser treatment, the area may continue to sting slightly or feel warm like a sunburn. If a large area is to be treated, anesthesia may be used. A small test area can be performed before the entire area is treated to evaluate your pain tolerance. Most patients tolerate this procedure without any need for anesthesia. Applying ice packs post-operatively can alleviate any discomfort experienced during the procedure.
Q: How long will the laser treatment last?
A: The duration of your laser treatment depends on the size of the area you wish to have treated or the time allowed by the provider performing your treatment. You will need to discuss this with
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