A:After your initial treatment, you will notice a significant reduction in the amount of hair in the treated area. However, it will take 2-4 weeks for the treated hair to push its way to the surface and fall out. It is important not to pluck or wax between treatments, as this may change the growth phase of the follicle. With each subsequent treatment, the hair in the active growing phase will be effectively treated.

Before you are treated, licensed medical professionals will calibrate the lasers ensuring proper laser power and cooling. The medical professional will then use the patient skin type in combination with the lasesr technology to determine the proper laser setting for the treatment. Licensed medical professionals will use any combination of four different cooling and numbing agents to prepare the skin for laser treatment.

ELT stands for Endovenous Laser Treatment. This is an exciting new technique that is replacing traditional vein stripping in practices across the nation. It is predominantly used to treat varicose veins. ELT involves threading a laser fiber into the diseased vein and firing it along the length of the vein. This effectively “closes” the vein, preventing blood flow and the increased pressure associated with varicosities.

Laser may be effective for the treatment of very fine spider veins in selected patients but has not been proven effective in the treatment of larger spider or varicose veins.

While we do have a laser available that is occasionally used to treat leg veins, we have found over the years that sclerotherapy (injection treatment) is more effective, hurts less, has fewer complications, less cost, and is far more efficient. While laser treatment has made the news a lot, most vein centers dedicated to vein treatment agree that topical laser treatment has been a big disappointment.

Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

Patients with wet AMD who have extra or juxtafoveal CNV. Some patients with poor vision and subfoveal CNV may also be suitable for conventional laser surgery.

No. Each laser machine is FDA approved for different treatments. Some are approved for hair removal, others for facial rejuvenation, and yet others for vein treatment. It is important to check that the machine being used is appropriate for the treatment given. Always seek treatment with a professional that has experience with laser vein therapy.

Laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure for superficial venous reflux. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening and a laser is used to collapse and seal shut the vein.

Since valves can't be repaired, the only alternative is to re-route blood flow through healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome vein. The laser procedure provides a less invasive alternative to stripping by simply closing the problem vein instead. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over and empty blood from your legs.

Only a physician call tell you if laser treatment is a viable option for your vein problem. Experience has shown that the vast majority of patients with superficial venous reflux disease can be treated with laser treatment.

Many insurance companies are paying for laser treatment in part or in full. Most insurance companies determine coverage for all treatments, based on medical necessity. Our staff can discuss your insurance coverage further at the time of consultation.

Follow-up care: An important part of any treatment plan is a schedule of follow-up exams. Exams that could include urinary cytology, ImmunoCyt™/uCyt+™, and cystoscopy among others are necessary to see if cancer has come back, or if there is a new cancer.

Generalized redness and edema are quite common after treatment. These symptoms usually subside within an hour or so. Some patients report redness lasting for up to 48 hours which is still within acceptable norms. In most cases, redness has faded greatly by the time you get home. It would not be uncommon for the skin to be slightly drier that evening. There are no limitations to your activities, however, we ask that you do not take a hot shower or bath for the first day.

Laser treatment is a safe, effective option that targets vessels under the skin while bypassing the skin itself. The laser energy is absorbed by hemoglobin, a substance in blood that gives it a red color, which causes the vessel to coagulate and subsequently be absorbed by the body.

Chemical peels with glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid and phenol have been successfully used for many years to selectively smooth the outer layers of skin. Mechanically sanding down the skin, known as dermabrasion has been used just as long. The depth of the laser burn is probably more predictable than that of chemical peels or dermabrasion. The laser strength and exposure time to the skin can be precisely controlled.

Anyone who has an irregular area of skin, whether due to contour, wrinkles, color, blood vessels, or scars, may be a good candidate.

The answer is not simple, but generally more than once and often several times. It depends upon the severity and progression of the condition.

Focal laser treatment of diabetic macular edema is best performed before central vision is affected. Once the center of the macula is swollen, laser often results in some improvement, but the vision may be permanently impaired to some degree. This is why regular retinal exams are important. Additionally, poor blood flow (ischemia) in the macula often damages the vision. There is no treatment for macular ischemia.

Although surface lasers do serve an effective role in treating small facial veins (especially reddish spider veins), they still in my opinion have a very limited role in treating large varicose veins. Firstly, they don't treat the underlying reverse flow or valve incompetence. Secondly, it is a painful, costly procedure often involving multiple sessions. Lasers can assist after sclerotherapy if small remnant vessels remain.

Lasers have been in existence for more than 35 years and are used by a wide range of medical specialists. Since only light is used to remove hair, it is totally non-invasive. Therefore, it does not cause some of the irritations typically found with other hair removal methods.

For facial wrinkles, any patient with fine lines and/or moderate wrinkles are ideal candidates. For hair removal, patients with any skin color with brown or black hairs. For patients with leg veins, those with blue, red or purple vessels up to 4mm in diameter. Additionally, any skin type patients that have deep vascular malformations, such as hemangiomas or resistant port wine stains, are good candidates for Lyra-i. Back to Top

There is enough pain to require pain pills, often mild narcotic such as something similar to codeine. Patients generally say that their skin feels "sore" or "irritated". After a few days, over-the-counter, non-prescription pills are usually enough.

Every type of surgical procedure has the possibility of complications, and that is true of laser treatments as well. Possible complications can include infection, permanent discoloration or scarring.

People often start to develop cataracts when in the 60's and 70's, though this can vary. Laser eye treatment cannot cure this condition. However, if you do suffer from them, we are still able to help you with other treatment options such as Intra-ocular Lenses Please call us on 0808 144 2020.

If after the initial laser surgery there is persistence or additional CNV, further laser treatment may be possible. If the CNV has grown too large or involve the central fovea, additional laser treatment may not be helpful. In patients with wet AMD in one eye, it is very important to monitor the vision and the macula in the other eye also. Using the eyes for reading, watching television, or driving does not damage them. It is important to continue with as normal a life style as possible.

Generally, laser can only be used on veins of very limited diameter. Varicose veins can not be treated by laser at all. Injection sclerotherapy of incompetent reticular(feeder) veins is preferred before laser is used to treat spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a more effective and less costly method of treatment of unsightly leg veins in most cases. Laser will not replace sclerotherapy for a foreseeable future.

Keep out of the sun in the weeks leading up to a laser hair removal session, as tanned skin will compromise the laser treatment. It is advisable to use sunscreen lotion or cream when you are exposed to sunlight. Because the laser's light energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin, in the skin, people with greater contrast respond best. For this reason, some people find it more convenient to schedule their laser hair removal treatment during the winter.

No "downtime" should be expected, but moderate redness will usually occure in the treated area. You can expect to be able to return to work or leisure immediately following the procedure.