Leg veins and broken capillaries

How does the treatment work?
The Lyra-I produces a 1064nm wavelength. While the rest of the skin is almost completely transparent for this wavelength, it is highly absorbed in blood. Thus, the laser beam passes through the skin and penetrates the targeted vessel. The laser energy heats up and coagulates blood inside the vessel. Unsupported, vessel walls collapse and seal. These vessels later dissolve within the body. The laser energy is delivered through a hand-held device with a cooling tip. The cooling tip provides additional safety and comfort during the treatment by lowering the thermal effect on your skin surface.

What can I expect during the treatment?
You may experience a stinging sensation during the treatment, which resolves immediately after the treatment is over. In some cases, you may be offered topical anaesthetic cream, which may eliminate much of the discomfort associated with the treatment.

What should I expect after the procedure?
The appearance of the treated vessels will dramatically change turning from blue and purple into light red. Some of the vessels may bulge; however, any inflammation will disappear within a couple of hours. The redness of the treated vessels will gradually disappear as the healing process occurs, which may take anywhere between two and six weeks depending on the severity of the veins. The post-operative treatment regime may include wearing pressure hose, avoiding medication containing aspirin and wearing sunscreen. Make sure to discuss these options with Dr Premrajh prior to the treatment.

How many treatments will I need?
Depending on the severity of the veins, you may require anywhere between one and three treatments, two to six weeks apart. The treatment is performed on the existing vessels, diminishing or completely eliminating their appearance. However, the development of new veins cannot be prevented. If your body tends to develop vascular problems, you will most likely need to come back for additional treatments.

Rosacea

What is it?
Rosacea is a potentially progressive, neuro-vascular disorder affecting the face, generally cheeks, nose and forehead. Symptoms can include facial redness, inflammation, burning or warm tingly sensations. Some patients suffer from inflamed pustules or spots. Rosacea is primarily a disorder of the facial blood vessels that undergo changes and become hyper responsive to internal and external stimuli such as sun exposure, heat, rich food, caffeine and alcohol.

How can it be treated?
Conventional treatments are oral and topical antibiotics, however the use of lasers has been clinically proven as being successful in reducing the effects of Rosacea.

How many treatments will I need?
Several treatments may be required depending on the severity of the Rosacea. The important thing to remember is the higher specification laser equipment used generates improved results at each application due to the flexibility of the parameters, and that greatly reduces the number of visits required. At The Skin and Tonic Clinique we operate high specification equipment that requires the use of skilled practitioners, who optimise the settings for each patient and at each subsequent visit.

Are the treatments painful?
The treatment is not painful, however there is a slight discomfort sometimes described as a sting or snap of an elastic band. It is generally accepted by all patients that this level of discomfort is tolerable; hence no local anaesthesia is required. The treatments are so effective that patients can return immediately to work or their daily routine and therefore, there is no lost time.

Hair reduction

How does the process work?
Through a process called Selective Photothermolysis, laser light is passed through the skin and is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicle. The heat generated by the laser light both injures the follicle and inhibits future growth, while leaving the skin unharmed. Dr Premrajh will likely run through your medical history to see if you have had any issues that may impact the procedures safety (for example, have you had keloid scarring, used Accutane in the last six months, etc.). In addition he will request that you do not wax, pluck, or tweeze for four weeks preceding the treatments as doing so may reduce the effectiveness of the treatments. Please note, shaving should not affect results.

What can I expect during treatment?
Laser light will be delivered through a hand-held wand attached to a laser console. You may experience a stinging sensation as the laser pulse is delivered. To reduce discomfort, the cooling system automatically removes heat from the surface of your skin before, during and after the laser exposure. You should not need general anaesthesia or pain medication, but a topical anaesthetic cream may be applied to sensitive areas. The process can take from just a few minutes for an upper lip to several hours for a full back and legs.

How many treatments will the patient need for hair removal?
Hair growth involves several cycles and, so some hairs may be affected during a single treatment and some may not. We have seen that after several treatments most terminal (mature) hairs are replaced with finer hairs of lighter colour. Some hairs are completely eliminated. Although complete hair removal may not be achieved, the hairs become less visible and, thus, less bothersome. The number of treatments needed to obtain optimal results varies with hair density, colour and growth cycle as well as skin type, though it is common to have three to four treatments, and possibly as many as eight, one every four to eight weeks. Results will improve with each subsequent treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?
The treated area is cleansed and you are free to return to your normal routine. Some patients may experience a slight reddening around hair follicles, though this will typically disappear within a few minutes. It is always recommended that you avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen following treatment. Several days after treatment, injured hair follicles will begin to fall out, a process that can be speeded up by lightly rubbing the skin with a towel. It may seem that some hair continues to grow for several weeks after the procedure, but many of these will also fall out. Hair that is not eliminated will likely be replaced by thinner, lighter, significantly less noticeable hair.