Laser Treatment
We offer two types of laser treatment here at Dermatology Associates, P.C., the Diolite™ 532 laser and the Pulsed Dye laser. The DioLite™ is a laser designed to treat patients for vascular and pigmented lesions. The laser delivers an intense beam of light to the blood vessels or pigmented cells in the treatment area. The heat causes decomposition or destruction of unwanted cells while leaving healthy cells intact. The pulsed dye laser is designed to treat patients for vascular lesions, including some types of leg veins. The laser delivers a short burst of yellow light to the blood vessels in the treatment area. The blood vessels coagulate and are then reabsorbed by the body as it heals. Your clinician can help you identify which type of laser treatment might be appropriate for you.

Downloadable Information

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Pulsed Dye Laser? How does Pulsed Dye treatment work? The Pulsed Dye Laser is designed to treat patients for benign (not malignant) vascular lesions. The laser delivers a short burst of yellow light to the blood vessels in the treatment area. The blood vessels coagulate and are then reabsorbed by the body as it heals.

• What problems are treated with the Pulsed Dye Laser? At Dermatology Associates, we treat port wine stains, facial veins, red angiomas (slightly raised, red lesions), and small leg veins with this laser.

• What is a DioLite 532™ Laser? How does the treatment work? The DioLite™ laser is a laser designed to treat patients for benign (not malignant) vascular and pigmented lesions. The laser delivers an intense beam of light to the blood vessels or pigmented cells in the treatment area, causing decomposition or destruction by heat of unwanted cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

• What conditions can be treated with the DioLite™ 532 Laser? At Dermatology Associates, we treat people with certain vascular or pigmented facial lesions with this laser. -Vascular lesions are formed by large or numerous blood vessels located directly under the surface of the skin, resulting in a red appearance of the area. Examples of vascular lesions are: facial telangiectasia - spider veins caused by a dilation of capillary vessels; cherry angiomas - slightly raised, red lesions; spider angiomas - slightly raised, red, spider-like lesions; and Rosacea - red facial lesions of the nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead, which cause a sunburned look. -A pigmented lesion occurs when an abundance of melanin (dark pigment) is found in the skin. Examples of pigmented lesions include: lentigines - flat, brown spots on the skin, usually a result of frequent sun exposure; keratoses - slightly elevated spots often found on the back and hands; freckles - brownish spots on the skin, common on people with fair skin; and dermatosis papulosa nigra - small, black marks seen primarily on people of Asian or African descent.

• Who should not have laser treatment? People who are taking Accutane or who have a significant tan in the area to be treated, as well as pregnant women should not have laser treatments.

• Will one treatment solve my problem? The number of treatments needed depends on the area being treated. In some cases, one treatment is enough. Most cases will need several treatments. The results depend on the size and severity of the treated area.

• How do I prepare for the treatment? You should avoid sun exposure before and throughout the treatment, and use a sunblock with an SPF of 30 or greater. If you are going to be treated with the pulsed dye laser, you should stop using aspirin and/or Motrin one week before the treatment. If you are using these medications under a physician's orders, you must talk to your doctor before you discontinue their use.

• What do I do after the treatment? Return to all normal activities. You may wash the area with mild soap and your fingertips. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Avoid sun exposure to the treated area. Do not use a tanning bed. Use sunscreen. You may apply makeup two days following the treatment. If there is any crusting or scabbing, cleanse the area gently and apply a moisturizer or Vaseline. You will be given a care instruction sheet following the treatment.

• Is the procedure painful? What will I look like after the procedure? Most patients do not find laser treatments to be painful. The laser beam may feel like a rubber band snapping at the skin. There may be slight redness, puffiness, crusting, and/or discomfort after the procedure, all of which generally resolve on their own. The pulsed dye laser may cause some bruising, which should resolve within five to seven days. Any discomfort may be relieved with Tylenol.