LASER VEIN REMOVAL
Aura
Blood Vessel Laser
Commonly Asked Questions
1. What is a laser?
Laser is a form of light that has been altered in order to produce a uniform
high intensity single wavelength beam. The laser can be focused to treat fine
blood vessels on the face and neck or attached to a scanner for treatment of
larger areas or background redness.
2. What are the advantages of treating blood vessels with
a laser?
The blood vessel laser uses a wavelength of light which is maximally absorbed
by blood vessels. The laser is therefore very selective in treating blood vessels,
and minimises damage to surrounding tissues. Therefore there is much less risk
of scarring as compared to techniques used previously to treat blood vessels.
3. What are the indications for the blood vessel laser?
Suitable vascular lesions for laser treatment include:
• port wine stain
• veins on the face
• rosacea
• Campbell de Morgan spots
• venous lakes on the lip
• superficial angiomas
• spider naevi
• telangiectasia
• red scars and stretch marks
• poikiloderma background redness
o leg veins
4. How long does the procedure take & how many treatments
are required?
The procedure can take up to half an hour or just a few seconds for red spots.
Multiple treatments may be required at 1 month intervals. For example facial
telangiectasia ("broken veins") usually requires 2-3 treatments, port
wine stains even more.
5. How does it work?
The green light of the Aura laser converts to heat when it finds, red (the colour
found in the blood running through the vessels).
This heat inflames and closes down the blood vessels, which usually do not re-open
allowing fibrosis and re-absorption to occur. If vessels re-open more treatments
may be required.
6. Does the treatment hurt?
The procedure is relatively painless when a topical anaesthetic cream is used
prior to treatment. This needs to be applied one hour before the treatment,
not rubbed in, and covered with plastic dressing or cling wrap. Usually there
is no pain after the procedure.
7. What happens after the procedure?
The area may appear red and/or swollen or rarely blister. Ice packs can be used
for two to four hours to help reduce swelling and redness. Otherwise nothing
should be applied to the skin for approximately four hours following the procedure.
8. What risks are involved with the procedure?
The risks involved with the procedure are minimal, and may include redness,
swelling, crusting, spot bruising, scabbing, hyper/hypo-pigmentation and very
rarely, minor scarring. In most patients there are no side effects. Most people
are able to return to work immediately after the procedure, although there may
be some temporary redness and swelling present.
9. How long do the effects last?
The effects are often permanent, however no guarantees of permanency can be
given. Also it does not prevent development of new vessels over time.
10. What is the cost of the procedure?
The average cost of the procedure is $380.00 for treatment of blood vessels on the face and usually you will be able to claim about $105.00 from Medicare. Sometimes a test spot is needed first which costs $50.00 out of pocket.
Please note payment is required at the time of the treatment.
11. Why doesn't every surgeon use the laser?
The laser machine is very expensive, and the operator needs specialised, supervised training in order to be able to use the laser safely.
12. Where is the procedure performed?
Our two main centres are in Toorak and Glen Waverley