• acne
• acne scarring
• birthmarks - brown
• birthmarks - port wine stains (red)
• facial volume loss
• fat deposit reduction
• freckles
• gynaecomastia / man boobs
• hand rejuvenation
• injectable lip enhancement
• keloid / hypertrophic scarring
• laser hair removal
• laser tattoo removal
• leg veins / spider veins
• neck rejuvenation
• non surgical facial shaping
• rosacea and facial capillaries/redness
• skin analysis
• skin pigmentation
• sweating - excessive
• wrinkles

• anaesthesia/analgesia for procedures
• anti-wrinkle injections
• chemical peels
• dermal fillers
• laser - apogee
• laser - gemini
• laser - medlite
• laser - ruby
• lipodissolve
• make-up - dermacolour
• make-up - glo minerals
• microdermabrasion
• photodynamic therapy
• plasma skin regeneration
• retinoids - topical
• sclerotherapy
• skin care - asap
• skin care - cosmedix
• skin care - rationale
• skin needling

Port Wine Stains (Red Birthmark)

What are Port wine stains?

Port wine stains are birthmarks that are due to congenital malformation of the veins and capillaries of the skin.  Present at birth, they affect 0.3 to 0.5% of the population and can have significant psychological implications on the affected individual, especially if facial areas area affected. Port wine stains commonly occur on the face, but can occur anywhere on the body, and often affect large surface areas. The appearance of port wine stains, as the name suggests, are a reddish/purple colour, and raised nodules can form within the area. It has been proposed that there is a disturbed innervation to the blood supply of the area, and this often leads to the profound dark and nodular appearance of the affected area.

How are Port wine stains treated?

Port wine stains are best treated with lasers that are attracted to the haemoglobin (blood) present in the affected area.
The first step of treatment, however, is an assessment to confirm the diagnosis, and to exclude any underlying medical problems. This is performed by our medical practitioners.  Port wine stains can often lead to increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), or be a sign of an underlying medical problem (e.g. Sturge-Webber syndrome).

Once an appropriate assessment has been made, laser treatment with the Gemini laser is possible. The Gemini laser emits a wavelength of  532nm that is highly attracted to haemoglobin or the blood in the Port wine stain. This shuts down the abnormal vessels present, and leaves normal skin alone. As the laser is more highly attracted to haemoglobin than normal skin, there is usually minimal disruption to the normal skin. The laser head also has a cooled-tip to chill the top surface of the skin, which reduces the damage to the surface layer of the skin as the laser passes through to target the abnormal vessels.

Case study 1

This is a male in his thirties who presents for treatment of his port wine stain. The Gemini laser was used to treat this condition, and the 532nm wavelength was used. The pictures illustrate the port wine stain before, immediately after laser treatment, and after 2 treatments with the gemini laser.

This is a man in his thirties who had his port wine stain treated at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute.

Case study 2

This is a patient who presented to The Victorian Cosmetic Institute with a port wine stain covering her hand and arm. She has had a total of 12 treatments with the 532nm and 1064nm wavelengths on the Gemini laser between the pictured before and after photos.

What are the side effects of treatment?

The area treated may feel hot for a few hours and look sun burnt for a few days. Sometimes there is darkening of the Port wine stain initially, and this can take up to a week to fade. If normal skin is affected by the laser, a scab or blister may develop and this can take time to heal. Darker skins are more affected by the laser than lighter or fairer skins. Scarring from this treatment is very rare.

What is the cost of treatment?

The cost to treat a Port wine stain can range from $150 to $600+ for larger treatments covering larger areas. There is an associated Medicare rebate associated with the treatment of Port wine stains and this rebate will also depend on the size of the Port wine stain.

Why should I choose The Victorian Cosmetic Institute as my provider of laser treatments?

At The Victorian Cosmetic Institute, we have the latest laser equipment operated by specialist laser doctors

Our doctors are also highly experienced in laser treatments, and will be able to give you the best advice for your treatment.

The first step is simply contacting us for your initial 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 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).

  

 

 

 

Article Download - Laser Use in the Treatment of Port-Wine Stains

The following article discusses the outcomes of Laser Use in the treatment of Port-Wine Stains.
Click here to download and view.