Candela V-Beam laser - for the treatment of vascular and skin pigmentation problems

Pulsed Dye Laser - 595nm

Laser only at Templestowe clinic

Quick Facts

  • The Candela V-beam laser emits a wavelength of 595nm is attracted to oxyhaemoglobin (blood) and melanin (skin pigment)
  • It is suited to the treatment of various vascular skin conditions including; broken capillaries, haemangiomas, rosacea, poikiloderma of civatte, port wine stains, and leg veins
  • It is also suited to the treatment of superficial skin pigmentation problems such as; sunspots, freckles, and cafe-au-lait macules
  • Furthermore it can be used to help to reduce the redness, improve pliability and reduce the size of hypertrophic or keloid scars, reduce the redness of stretch marks, and treat acne
  • The Candela V-beam laser has a built in cryogen spray that helps to cool the top layers of skin to help reduce the possibilty of unwanted skin damage by the laser
  • The Candela V-beam laser, at higher levels can cause bruising that may take around 1-2 weeks to resolve.

What is the Candela V-beam pulsed dye laser?

The Candela V-Beam pulsed dye laser is a laser that emits a wavelength of 595 nanometres (nm). This is a very pure wavelength of light that falls in the visible light spectrum. This wavelength has particular properties, in particular it is attracted to oxyhaemoglobin (in blood), and melanin (skin pigment). This high attraction to these targets makes this laser suited to the treated of various skin conditions that contain these targets.



What is the 595nm wavelength useful for?

The 595nm wavelength is a versatile wavelength that can be used for various skin vascular and pigmentation problems. It is able to target these problems specifically through the principles of selective photothermolysis. 

The attraction of this 595nm wavelength to oxyhaemoglobin means that it is useful for the treatment of various vascular skin conditions including;

  • Broken capillaries (telengiectasia) on the face - Telengiectasias, commonly known as 'broken capillaries', are commonly found on the face, especially on the cheeks, chin and nose, and can arise as a result of excessive or cumulative sun exposure or as a part of the skin condition rosacea. They most commonly occur in the fairer skin types. The 595nm wavelength is highly attracted to the oxyhaemoglobin within the telengiectasias. This heats the vessel wall up to a critical temperature, and causes spasm of this vessel wall and coagulation within the vessel. The visible telengiectasia is shut down, and the blood traverses through another collateral pathway.
  • Haemangiomas (childhood) -  are caused by abnormal proliferation of blood vessels, and can often have a strawberry like appearance. They can be treated with this wavelength/laser. We do not treat the paediatric population at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute however.
  • Rosacea -  Rosacea is characterised by skin redness, capillaries, and or pustules on the cheeks, nose, chin, and between the brows. The exact cause is unknown. As there is a large vascular component to rosacea, treatment with a laser such as the pulsed dye laser can help to reduce the amount of redness/capillaries present.
  • Poikiloderma of Civatte - this is a condition that is characterised by a red/brown discolouration of the neck/chest. It most commonly occurs in women and is primarily caused by sun exposure. As the 595nm wavelength is attracted to both melanin (brown) and the oxyhaemoglobin in blood (red), it is an ideal wavelength for the treamtent of this condition.  
  • Port wine stains - these are red birthmarks that can occur on the face and body. The pulsed dye laser has traditionally been the laser of choice for port wine stains, although more recently, KTP lasers (such as the Gemini laser) have been used also. The 595nm laser wavelength is attracted to the oxyhaemoglobin in the port wine stain, and helps to close down the aberrant vessels causing the birthmark. The treatment usually requires multiple sessions.
  • Leg veins - generally speaking, leg veins are best treated with sclerotherapy (injections). It is also possible to treat leg veins with laser, as sometimes the smaller leg veins may be difficult to inject, and some people prefer not to have needles. Again, the target is oxyhaemoglobin. However, because leg veins are usually relatively deep beneath the skin, it is possible that the 595nm wavelength will not reach the targeted leg vein. A deeper penetrating laser, such as the Gemini 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, is in most cases a better option.
The attraction of the 595nm wavelength to melanin also allows it to treat various pigmentation problems in the skin. Because the 595nm wavelength does not penetrate very deeply beneath the skin, it tends to work best on superficial skin pigmentation problems including;
  • Sunspots/solar lentigos/cafe au lait macules - these types of pigmentation are usually found in the superficial layers of the skin. The 595nm wavelength is attracted highly to melanin and is able to reach the melanin in these pigmented areas. As there is more melanin in the pigmented area than the surrounding skin, the pigmented area attracts more energy and is selectively targeted.
  • Freckles - freckles may be of varying depth, and although most will be treatable with the pulsed dye laser, the possibility of bruising from the pulsed dye laser as well as the possibility that this laser wavelength may not reach the freckle means that it is sometimes better treated with other lasers such as the Ruby laser.
The 595nm wavelength can also be used to treat a number of other conditions. These include;
  • Hypertrophic and keloid scars - it is not known exactly how the 595nm wavelength of the pulsed dye laser works to help reduce the redness and improve the pliability of hypertrophic and keloid scars, but it is suggested that this wavelength may affect the underlying microvascular structure of the scar and disrupt the collagen activity in the scar.
  • Red stretch marks - the 595nm wavelength can also be used to hasten the whitening of red stretch marks. Although the actual stretch mark cannot be reduced in size, the appearance of the stretch mark may be less obvious if it more closely approximates the surrounding skin colour.
  • Acne - the 595nm wavelength of the pulsed dye laser has been shown in clinical studies to help with inflammatory or cystic acne. The laser energy helps to eradicate the bacteria that can cause acne. The skin can also be pre-treated with ALA prior to application of the pulsed dye laser wavelength to further enhance the results significantly. ALA causes the acne bacteria to create more target that the laser is attracted to. The process of combining ALA with the laser is called photodynamic therapy.

What is DCD cooling?

DCD (dynamic cooling device) cooling is a method used to cool the top layers of the skin and therefore protecting it, whilst allowing the laser energy to penetrate deeper into the skin to reach the intended target. DCD cooling is unique to Candela lasers, and uses a short spray of cryogen on the skin immediately prior to the application of the laser. The risk of damage to normal skin is greatly reduced by this cooling device.

What is involved with pulsed dye laser treatment?

In most cases, pulsed dye laser treatment can be performed on the skin without anaesthetic. For more extensive treatments with the pulsed dye laser, for example, in the treatment of facial port wine stains or extensive broken capillaries on the face, local anaesthetic may be required. Local anaesthetic of the skin can be performed by injection/nerve block or by applying topical local anaesthetic prior to treatment.

Each pulse of laser is preceeded by a cryogen spray (DCD cooling) which helps to reduce the sensation produced by the laser. Usually a flicking sensation with some heat is felt on the skin.

After the treatment, the skin usually appears red and slightly swollen. If capillaries are treated, these may disappear immediately in some cases post treatment. For the treatment of pigmentation, the pigmented areas may appear darker immediately, and then take about one week to scab off. The recovery period will depend on the level of energy used as well as the problem being treated, and can range from no recovery period to 2 weeks.

Higher energy treatments with the pulsed dye laser may cause bruising, as these levels of energy rupture the blood vessels. The bruising can take one to two weeks to resolve, but the results from these higher energy treatments are usually more substantial than lower energy treatments. Lower energy treatments are less likely to bruise, and sometimes this is preferable for the patient, even if it does take more treatments to improve the problem being treated.

 

How much is Pulsed dye laser treatment? 

Prices for treatment depend on the area treated.  This includes treatment of any pigmentation, sun-damage or capillaries over the whole face, and the fee includes the use of other lasers on the skin as required. Note a medicare rebate may apply (see below).
The prices per session for treatment are;

Full face 

per session     

$950

Full face and neck

per session 

$1350
Full face/neck/decolletage

per session 

$1650

Decolletage 

per session 

$660

Neck and Decolletage 

per session 

$950

Neck
per session

$495

Cheeks and nose

per session 

$660

Nasal ala (side of noses)

per session 

$250

Keloid / hypertrophic scar / stretch mark treatment

per session

$150 to $250

Pulsed dye laser treatment of acne (full face). Performed by nurse

per session

250
  * note if more than one laser is used on these areas, e.g Pulsed dye laser + ruby laser, then a 10% surcharge applies.

There is a Medicare rebate for pulsed dye laser treatment of facial redness,capillaries, port wine stains, and particular types of brown spots.  There are certain criteria that must be met to obtain the rebate e.g facial/neck capillaries must be visible from 3 metres. An example is for the treatment of broken capillaries/redness on the face; for those qualifying, there is a $117.05 rebate from Medicare for each treatment with the pulsed dye laser that can be claimed for 6 treatments in one year. Also treatments that attract a Medicare rebate also count towards the Medicare Safety Net. Once the threshold on the Medicare Safety Net is passed, 80% of the out-of-pocket fee is refunded to you by Medicare.


The following is an example of the Medicare Safety Net, once the threshold has been exceeded
.

 You Pay    

You receive from Medicare

 Medicare schedule fee           $117.05 

Rebate on schedule fee $117.05

 Doctor's additional charge    $377.95   

Safety Net rebate (80% of $377.95) $302.36

Total fee paid                        $495  

Total rebate $419.41



Therefore total out-of-pocket fee is $75.59* per session
 
* Please note that this example assumes that the Medicare Safety Net threshold has been exceeded. Also the threshold will vary for various individuals or families. Please check with Medicare if you have any uncertainties as to your potential rebates. 
The cost of treatment of Port wine stains with the pulsed dye laser depends on the size of the area affected. Again, there is a Medicare rebate associated with this treatment, and the amount of this rebate will also depend on the size of the area treated. The Medicare Safety Net also applies for Port wine stains.
Some types of pigmentation treatment with the pulsed dye laser also attract a Medicare rebate and contribute to the Safety Net, but it will depend on the type of pigmentation treated.

Why choose The Victorian Cosmetic Institute as your provider of Candela V-beam laser treatments?

The Victorian Cosmetic Institute's doctors are highly experienced in laser treatments, and the Candela V-Beam laser is another useful tool in the armamentarium of lasers we have. It can give an added options in the treatment of various vascular and pigmentation problems. 

During your initial consultation, our doctors will make an assessment of your skin to determine what the best treatment for your skin will be, and which lasers to use.

The first step is simply contacting us for your initial laser skin rejuvenation consultation, where we will discuss with you what is a realistic and achievable outcome, and what to expect from your laser treatment.

Making that first phone call about any cosmetic procedure can be a confronting task - many of our patients have preferred filling out our online enquiry form. We can then contact you with an understanding of the results you are hopeful of achieving and ensure the treatment is appropriate.

 
It's as easy as clicking either of the buttons below and completing the provided form.
 
Otherwise, you can phone us directly on (03) 8850 0655 (Templestowe) or (03) 9707 0888 (Berwick).

 

 

 

 

 






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