Port-wine Stains
Port-wine stains or naevus flammeus were a serious aesthetic problem before lasers were used to treat this vascular disorder. The stains basically consist of many tiny interconnected veins and therefore can be treated the same way as facial spider veins.
Which laser is used?
The state of the art machine is pulsed dye laser. We use this type of laser manufactured by an American company Candela (VBeam). This laser enables the physician to choose a treatment suitable for each patient.
When should we start with the treatment?
The port-wine stains often darken and become protuberant over time and therefore the sooner you begin treatment, the better. This may start already in infancy. More sessions are necessary to remove stains in older patients.
Laser treatment does not require any hospital stay. We treat children aged 2 years and older. This procedure can be performed under general anesthetic for our younger patients and parents may be present throughout; they may sit next to the child’s bed or hold them on their lap. Immediately after the procedure, the treated area changes color, but it is still visible. Absorption takes place in the following weeks when treated vascular lesions are eliminated by the immune system.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the extent of the condition. Darker stains require more sessions. In most cases 5 sessions are needed for the optimal results. Noticeable improvements can be seen after 2 to 3 sessions.
What is the efficacy of the procedure?
Most stains are about 75 % lighter; some even 95 % after the procedure.
Side Effects and Complications
The risks or side effects will be the same as in the facial spider veins treatment if the same laser is used.