LaserSkinTreatments

Laser Lesion Removal with Diolite Laser:

Tay River Reflections uses a 532 nanometer diode laser. This wavelength of laser light is absorbed by the red pigment in blood and also by the brown pigment (melanin) in the skin causing thermal damage and destruction of unwanted lesions while leaving healthy skin intact. This makes the Diolite laser especially useful for removing vascular lesions (collections of blood vessels under the skin that are visible or that create redness of the skin), and also pigmented lesions (formed by an abundance of melanin in the skin causing freckles, brown age spots, and moles).

The following conditions are effectively treated with the Diolite Laser:

Vascular Lesions:
Facial spider veins (telangiectasia)
Cherry Angiomas (slightly raised red spots)
Spider Angiomas (slightly raised red spider-like lesions)
Rosacea (red facial lesions causing a sunburned or flushed look)

Pigmented Lesions:
Lentigines ( flat brown spots on the skin caused by frequent sun exposure)
Keratoses (slightly elevated, brown scaly spots with a �stuck on� appearance)
Freckles (brownish spots on the skin)

Other Lesions treated by the Diolite:
Common warts
Acne, Comedones (Blackheads)
Skin Tags
Raised fleshy moles (if benign)
Birthmarks

All lesions will be examined by the physician prior to treating. If there is any concern for malignancy, arrangements will be made for biopsy instead of laser treatment.

Other Applications:
Sun damaged, wrinkling skin
Tattoo removal (if red or dark ink)

Is the treatment painful?
Most people tolerate the treatment quite well. There is a slight stinging sensation from the laser pulses. If the procedure is found to be painful, either a topical anesthetic or a local anesthetic may be used.

What can I expect after the treatment?
The laser will cause immediate flushing and redness in the area treated (like a mild sunburn or wind burn). This will usually resolve within minutes or several hours. If a larger lesion is treated, there is usually some blistering after the treatment, which will then go on to form a crust or a scab within the next few days. This will mostly clear up by one to two weeks. The treated areas may remain slightly red as they continue healing over the next few weeks. It is important to protect these areas from the sun as the new healing skin is very sensitive. Although there is the possibility of mild pigment or texture change remaining in the treated skin, complete healing usually leaves no trace of the laser treatment. Normal activities may be resumed right away after the treatment. You may want to plan for work and social activities accordingly if some blistering or scabbing is expected. Typically treatment of spider veins on the face erase the veins immediately with only mild short-lived redness afterward.

How long does the treatment take?
Laser treatments are scheduled for 30 minutes although usually the procedure is completed in much less time. In some cases, a second treatment may be necessary. Larger vascular and pigmented lesions may take several treatments. Multiple treatments are typically scheduled 6 to 8 weeks apart.