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Laser Treatment of Acne, Fine Lines, Crepey Skin

Blue Water Spa Serving Raleigh, Durham and Surrounding Areas

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V-Beam Laser Treatments at Blue Water Spa
The Perfecta Laser can be the answer for skin so perfect you may feel comfortable without makeup. The treatments can be performed in just 30 minutes with no downtime and minimal discomfort. Ideal for both men and women, the Perfecta Laser may be just what you need to get your skin looking its best before a big event. This pulse-dye laser treatment is the most effective therapy currently available for permanent elimination or improvement of the facial redness associated with rosacea and for facial spider veins.

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The Perfecta Laser is a state of the art laser for the following concerns:

Rosacea
Rosacea is a condition of the facial skin where the central face (nose, cheeks, chin, and central forehead) gradually turns red and develops numerous fine telangiectasia. These areas easily become flushed, particularly after physical exertion, eating spicy food, or having a glass of wine. Rosacea has traditionally been treated with topical agents and oral antibiotics, however most patients experience improvement only when the medications are in use, with return of rosacea once the treatment is stopped. For many patients, rosacea is fairly resistant to topical and oral medications.

The cause of spider veins and rosacea is not completely understood, and appears to be multi-factorial. Contributing factors may be a genetic predisposition, the chronic use of topical steroid agents, and solar damage to the facial skin that gradually builds up over many years. Rosacea occurs most commonly in warm climates where people get a great deal of year-round sun exposure.

These conditions can perhaps be prevented (in part) by the avoidance of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (the sun, that tanning bed), the avoidance of chronic topical steroid use, and by the daily use of a high-SPF facial sunblock. In some cases, telangiectasia is associated with a systemic autoimmune disorder, such as scleroderma. Once a person develops facial telangiectasia and/or rosacea, these conditions in general do not spontaneously disappear.

Facial Veins
Many people, especially fair-skinned people in sunny climates (like North Carolina), will develop areas of the face as they age where superficial veins and capillaries in the skin become enlarged and highly visible. Because of their typically irregular and spidery appearance, these superficial cutaneous vessels are commonly referred to as ‘spider veins’.

The medical term for this phenomenon is ‘telangiectasia’, which is essentially Greek for ‘the stretching out of the very end of a blood vessel’. And that’s essentially what ‘spider veins’ are. They occur most frequently in the central face, particularly on the anterior cheeks and at the base of the nose. Some people develop very prominent spider veins on the dorsum and tip of the nose, where they are difficult to conceal.

Acne
V-Beam Perfecta laser is an effective treatment for addressing active acne and redness in the skin from acne. V-Beam targets active acne by delivering intense pulses of light that destroys acne causing bacteria under the skin. V-Beam can also treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne. A series of V-Beam for acne treatments is especially effective for teen patients who desire blemish-free skin.

Fine Lines and Crepey Skin
A sequence of V-Beam laser treatments can provide overall skin rejuvenation, including textural improvement of fine lines and crepey skin. Many patients like to target areas prone to these issues such as around the eyes, around the mouth, or the neck. For best results and collagen stimulation patients should plan on receiving 3-4 treatments every 4 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for V-Beam?
V-Beam Perfecta laser is ideal for individuals seeking clearer, smoother, younger looking skin. The V-Beam laser is not recommended for patients with darker skin tones. A complimentary consultation is required prior to treatment to ensure that you are a good candidate.

What is a V-Beam treatment like?
Your laser technician will consult with you prior to your first appointment to identify your skin care concerns. Each treatment can be customized to address your skin’s individual needs. Most patients are reclining or lying down, depending on the area being treated. The laser will be calibrated and parameters set based on the specific condition being treated. Patients often report a warming or tingling sensation during the treatment. During the treatment, skin receives additional protection through the patented Dynamic Cooling Device™ (DCD™), which delivers a cooling burst of cryogen before the laser pulse is delivered. The DCD increases comfort during treatment and minimizes side effects such as redness.

What Can I Expect to Experience After My Treatment?
Following V-Beam treatment, it is normal to experience mild redness and swelling. It is also possible to experience bruising which may last one to two weeks.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?
For those who are looking to obtain a clearer, smoother complexion, we recommend four treatments, spaced four weeks apart. Patients may opt to do monthly maintenance treatments once their desired results have been achieved. When treating veins and cherry angiomas, most patients will see results in one treatment, but two or more may be necessary to obtain the best results.

How does V-Beam work?
The V-Beam Laser, a pulsed-dye laser developed specifically for the treatment of cutaneous vascular disorders, can completely eliminate most facial ‘spider veins’, usually in two to three treatments (large areas of long-standing spider veins may require more treatments), and can reverse the cutaneous manifestations of rosacea as well. In addition, the laser energy pulse delivered by the V-beam has been modified to limit the development of post-treatment bruising (purpura), a problem associated with older pulsed-dye lasers.

The V-Beam laser uses light energy of a wavelength that is specifically absorbed by structures which are reddish or purple in color, i.e. capillaries and small arteries and veins. The V-beam incorporates a Dynamic Cooling Device which sprays the skin with a cooling agent immediately before every laser pulse. This advanced technology both protects the skin from thermal energy and reduces the discomfort previously associated with pulsed-dye laser treatment. The laser pulses are generally described by patients as feeling like ‘a rubber band snapping against the skin’. No anesthesia (topical or otherwise) is required.

While pulsed-dye laser technology has been available for decades, pulsed-dye laser treatment of rosacea and facial telangiectasia was not frequently performed as the laser energy tended to explode superficial blood vessels, producing facial bruising that may persist for several weeks. The V-Beam Laser modulates both the peak energy and the duration of the laser pulse in order to coagulate rather than explode dermal blood vessels, which allows treatments to be performed that produce little or no bruising. This advanced technology makes it possible to achieve significant clearance and even complete elimination of facial redness and spider veins with no ‘downtime’.

Is the V-beam Laser a ‘cure’ for rosacea?
That really depends upon how one defines ‘cure’. If by this one means “can you eliminate the facial redness, flushing and spider veins that I walk into your office with?”, then the answer is YES – we are able to completely eliminate these findings for many of our patients with a series of V-beam laser treatments. However, any individual who has experienced resolution or significant improvement in rosacea following V-beam laser treatment is at risk for recurrence of facial redness and flushing if they do not take steps to avoid the primary risk factor: ultraviolet light (sunlight) exposure.

We strongly recommend that our patients ‘protect their investment’ by using a high-quality, chemical-free sunblock on a daily basis, rain or shine, summer or winter. Hats are also highly recommended in the summer months. Appropriate protection from damaging UV rays can prevent the recurrence of the facial redness and flushing associated with rosacea for most patients.

V-Beam Pricing (per treatment)

Consultation Complimentary
Nose $149
Spot Treatment (one area) $149
Spot Treatment of Cherry Angiomas $149
Half Face $199
Neck $199
Chest $249
Perfecta Partial Face Acne $199
Perfecta Full Face Acne $299
Full Face $299
Face and Neck $399
Half Arms $299
Full Arms $499
Other areas available upon request

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