Sometimes you just do not feel like covering the red blotchy areas of your skin with makeup or clothing. Vbeam^® Pulsed Dye Laser treatments can eliminate your red spots and your worries. The Vbeam^® laser fades away broken capillaries, rosacea, cherry spots that come with hormones and pregnancy, red birthmarks, acne and acne scars, surgical scars, and even wrinkles caused by age and sun damage. Many other conditions can also be treated with the Vbeam^® including red stretch marks, psoriasis and small spider veins.

The Vbeam^® Laser is a very safe and effective laser that has been in use for over 20 years. The treatment works by directing an intense, but gentle, flash of laser light to destroy blood vessels. Before each flash of light (also called a pulse) a cold spray of liquid is transferred to the skin. The resulting sensation is a moist cooling of the skin to offset the heat coming from the laser. The laser “pulse” feels like the hot snap of a rubber band. Dr. Roberts uses a local anesthetic cream beforehand to make your treatment session as comfortable as possible. 

To fully remedy the problem area, several treatment sessions are usually needed. Dr. Roberts recommends waiting 3 to 4 week between treatments to allow the body to fully break down the injured vessels and heal. Some results may be seen almost immediately, but the full healing process continues gradually over the next weeks to months. The good news is soon you will have the healthy clear skin you desire without make-up!

After each treatment, the area(s) may temporarily be swollen, pink, and sensitive like a mild sunburn. Rarely, bruising may occur. The intensity of side effects relates to the intensity of the treatment and your individual skin quality. If you are feeling any discomfort, applying ice packs will often give adequate relief.  Sometimes, Dr. Roberts will recommend the use of an oral anti-inflammatory or topical cortisone cream. You can resume your usual skin care program as long as it does not irritate your skin.

Most people are eligible to undergo Vbeam^® treatments, however, there are some precautions you should consider.

   • Vbeam^® treatment is not recommended if your skin has dark       pigmentation or is sun tanned.

   • Blood vessels deeper than 1.55mm cannot be treated with      Vbeam^® and blue vessels will not respond as well as red.

   • If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, wait to have Vbeam^®      treatments until you finish breastfeeding and your hormone levels      return to normal.

   • Inform Dr. Roberts if you have exercised vigorously 2-3 hours      before treatment, are taking blood thinners, like aspirin, or have      a history of fever blisters.

For more information about Vbeam treatments, visit our patient education section.