Find out more about spider vein removal at our Clackamas, Oregon office. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Goodkin today.
Peter Goodkin M.D.
9775 SE Sunnyside Road #500
Clackamas, Oregon 97015
P / 503-654-7546
F / 503-786-3542
A member of the ACMMSCO©™
Our Spider Vein Program at the Oregon Office of Dr. Goodkin
Spider veins, telangiectasias, broken blood vessels and other red blotches on the face are quite common. They can be unsightly or even embarrassing. They also add to the appearance of an uneven texture to the skin, making it look less smooth and uniform. We use the latest technology, an advanced pulsed dye laser, to reduce or eliminate these red veins. The Candela VBeam® Perfecta laser enables us to safely, easily and effectively accomplish the fading of these spots, blotches and lines. If you are concerned about spider veins or red blotches on your face, contact our office in Clackamas to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Peter Goodkin.
- Why the red face?
- How does the laser work?
- What kind of success can I expect?
- How many sessions will I need?
- How long will the improvement last?
- How long will I have to hide?
- Tell me about safety.
Why the red face?
The exact causes of facial veins and blotches are not yet known, but it is clear that facial veins are often related to rosacea, easy facial flushing, sun exposure, genetics, and the aging process.
How does the laser work?
Modern medical laser treatments are based on the principle of selective photothermolysis. That means that the coherent light emitted by the laser is selectively absorbed by a target or chromophore. The target for the VBeam® Perfecta laser is actually hemoglobin. The red hemoglobin selectively takes up the yellow laser light. The hemoglobin is in the blood flowing through the blood vessels that cause the red veins and blotches. When the light energy is absorbed, this selectively heats the tiny blood vessels, and damages their walls. The damaged veins then slowly fade and disappear.
To protect the rest of the skin, a cool spray, precedes each laser pulse by a fraction of a second, protecting and soothing the surface layer.
What kind of success can I expect?
A consultation with Dr. Goodkin is needed to evaluate your objectives and tell you what to expect. Most people do well with the VBeam® laser. At the time of the consultation, he will evaluate your skin type and do a series of test pulses to determine the best settings to be used on the laser to facilitate success. Unless you are just treating single isolated red spots, most people will require a series of treatments.
How many sessions will I need?
Individual red spots, cherry or spider angiomas, can often be completely eliminated in a single treatment. Bigger or thicker ones my require two. Most people with red faces will, however, require a series of treatments for the best results. . One sees a gradual lightening of the redness. Some people see enough improvement in two treatments. Some go for six. The average is four. Even at four there are occasional resistant areas that require additional or alternative methods.
How long will the improvement last?
Individual angiomas usually don’t return. The improvement on facial redness often lasts 2-3 years or more. It depends on what caused the redness in the first place. Sun protection and avoiding whatever triggers flushing in you can prolong the improvement. Some of those triggers are hot drinks, allergies, exercise, a cold wind, alcohol, or spicy food. The laser helps reduce flushing episodes themselves for about 6 months. If flushing is an issue for you, touch-up sessions twice yearly might just keep them under control. Otherwise, new area can be treated as they arise.
How long will I have to hide?
Each session with the laser just takes a few minutes. A cooling spray is applied automatically to protect the skin just a fraction of a second before each pulse. There is a sting with every pulse, similar to that caused by a rubber band snapped against your skin. Immediately after, your skin feels sunburned. A cooling gel is applied right away, which soothes the sunburn sensation. Redness lasts a few hours, up to a day. When cheeks are treated, puffiness is common for 4-5 days. Sometimes this puffiness is just a tight sensation. Sometimes it’s more visible, especially in the mornings. Bruising is now rare. Both redness and bruising can be covered with make-up. It’s rare to get a scab or crust./a>.
Tell me about safety.
The pulsed dye laser was invented to treat red birthmarks in babies. The Candela VBeam® pulsed dye laser has a long safety record and Dr. Goodkin has been using it or it’s previous generation laser, for many years. The light is in the yellow area of the visible spectrum. Training and experience are the key to safety and Dr. Goodkin has both. Scarring is quite rare.
Contact us today about spider vein removal at our Oregon practice to arrange a private consultation. Regain the complexion you'll be happy to see in the mirror!