Specialised laser therapy

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels that mainly appear on the legs and are visible as small, reddish-bluish lines. They can occur in both women and men. Medically, spider veins are classified as a form of varicose veins (varices) and are therefore also referred to as spider vein varices.

Treatment

Spider veins can be successfully treated without injections using the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The laser emits light pulses that are absorbed by the blood in the vessels. This leads to heating and damage to the vein walls with subsequent shrinkage of the spider veins. Depending on the extent of the spider veins, several treatments may be necessary. After the treatment, sun exposure must be avoided for 6 weeks.

Teleangiectasias, also known as dilated veins, are visible dilations of small superficial blood vessels in the skin and mucous membrane. They appear as fine, usually red, sometimes bluish lines that shimmer through the surface of the skin and often occur on the face and upper body.

Treatment

Teleangiectasias can be treated effectively and gently with vasculature-selective lasers. The laser closes the vessels by applying targeted heat.

It should be noted that several treatment sessions may be necessary and the choice of laser depends on the extent and localisation of the telangiectasia as well as the patient's skin type.

Erythrosis interfollicularis colli manifests itself as extensive, permanent reddening of the lateral parts of the neck and in the décolleté area, often associated with telangiectasia (visible vascular dilatation) and occasionally hyperpigmentation. A typical feature is the shadowy recess of the submental region (below the chin). The redness can be intensified by heat stimuli, alcohol or stress. The condition is also known as "plucked chicken skin" as the follicles can protrude in the atrophic skin.

The main cause is long-term UV exposure, particularly through sunlight or visits to the solarium, which leads to chronic photodamage such as solar elastosis and vasodilation. Middle-aged to older people who spend a lot of time outdoors for work or leisure are often affected.

Treatment

We use various lasers and laser-like therapy methods to treat erythrosis interfollicularis colli. The choice of method depends on the individual clinical appearance.

The aim of the therapy is to reduce the redness of the area, treat the dilated vessels, improve pigmentation disorders, regenerate the skin and improve skin quality.

Different types of laser are often combined to achieve these goals.

The treatment is usually carried out in several sessions in order to achieve an optimal result and at the same time minimise the risk of side effects. On average, around 3 to 6 treatments are necessary. However, the exact number of sessions required may vary depending on the severity of the condition and the response to treatment.

Spider naevi (naevus araneus) are enlargements of small arterial skin vessels that often occur on the chest wall, face or neck.

They have a characteristic appearance. In the centre is a red dot the size of a pinhead, from which fine vascular branches radiate in a star shape, reminiscent of the legs of a spider.

Laser treatment:

In laser therapy for naevus araneus, the laser is targeted at the central vessel and the fine, spider leg-like vessels. The laser emits short pulses of light that heat up and thus destroy the dilated blood vessels. In most cases, 1 to 2 treatments are sufficient.

A port-wine stain (medical term: naevus flammeus) is a benign, congenital malformation of small blood vessels (capillaries) in the skin. Around 0.3 per cent of all newborns are affected. Port-wine stains appear as bright red to bluish-purple, sharply defined patches on the skin, which are irregularly shaped and vary in size. They can appear anywhere on the body, but usually only one side of the body is affected. They occur most frequently on the face and neck.

The exact cause is not yet fully understood. New research points to genetic factors (mutations in the GNAQ gene), damaged connections between nerves and blood vessels, rarely in the context of hereditary syndromes such as Sturge-Weber syndrome or Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome.

If left untreated, port-wine stains can become darker in the course of life and tend to form nodules and thicken the skin in adulthood, which can be accompanied by disturbing bleeding from the smallest injuries.

Treatment

Port-wine stains are treated with vascularised laser therapy. The laser closes the small blood vessels by applying targeted heat.

It is important to note that several sessions are required to achieve a good result. Laser treatment of the naevus flammeus usually requires at least 6 sessions. Adults often require more sessions than children.

The number of sessions depends heavily on factors such as the size, location and colour of the port-wine stain.

A lip border angioma, also known as a "venous lake", is a haemangioma on the lip. A venous lake appears as a lentil to pea-sized, blue-red bulge with a smooth surface, predominantly on the lower lip.

It is a dilation of blood vessels (veinctasia) in the dermis. Lip border angiomas occur more frequently in older people, which indicates a connection with the ageing process.

Treatment

In laser therapy for lip marginal angiomas, the laser beam is directed specifically at the dilated blood vessels. The blood pigment haemoglobin absorbs the laser energy, which obliterates the vessels. This causes the angioma to recede. The treatment is usually carried out with an Nd:YAG laser.

The number of treatments depends on the size and depth of the angioma. Often 1 to 2 treatments are sufficient.

Early treatment is recommended in order to achieve an optimal cosmetic result and reduce the risk of complications such as bleeding or ulceration.

Melasma (also known as "chloasma" or "pregnancy mask") is a common pigmentation disorder that occurs primarily on the face and is characterised by dark, blotchy discolouration, mainly on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip.

As the cells that give the skin its colour - the melanocytes - are more active, melasma can be more noticeable in people with a darker complexion.

Although it mainly affects women, men can also develop melasma.

The development is complex and multifactorial. The following influencing factors are known:

• Hormonal changes (pregnancy, hormonal contraception)
• UV radiation
• Genetic predisposition
• Certain medications

Treatment is correspondingly complex and requires a multi-stage approach.

Basic measures

• Strict UV protection (SPF 50+)
• Avoidance of direct sunlight
• Special bleaching creams to inhibit melanin production

Treatment

According to current research results and clinical experience, the following types of laser are considered particularly effective in the treatment of melasma: Nd:YAG 1064nm laser toning, fractionated non-ablative lasers. The number of laser sessions required varies depending on the individual severity of the melasma and the type of laser used. Depending on the severity, between 5 and 15 treatment sessions are necessary.

The combination of different therapy approaches generally leads to better results than individual treatments.

Seborrhoeic keratosis, also commonly known as senile warts, is a benign, light brown to black, wart-like skin change with a rough, fissured surface. It typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 and becomes more common with increasing age. Favourite anatomical locations are the trunk, face, forearms and back of the hands.

Seborrhoeic keratoses can occur singly or in groups and occasionally cause itching.

Although they are harmless, they can sometimes be mistaken for malignant skin lesions because of their similarity to moles or skin tumours.

Their development is associated with genetic factors, UV radiation and the natural ageing process.

Treatment

Seborrhoeic keratoses can be removed precisely and gently using a laser. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and leaves a superficial abrasion that heals within a few weeks. The wound usually heals without scarring. Possible side effects may include redness, swelling or, in rare cases, changes in pigmentation.

The choice of the right type of laser and the treatment being carried out by a specialist with laser experience are crucial to the success of the treatment.

Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured growths that often appear in skin folds such as the neck, armpits or groin. They are completely benign and usually cause no symptoms.

Possible causes for the development of skin tags are genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, metabolic factors such as obesity and mechanical friction of the skin.

Treatment

The skin tags can be removed precisely and gently using a laser. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and leaves a superficial abrasion that heals after 7 to 10 days.

Syringomas are harmless, skin-coloured to yellowish nodules that usually appear in the eyelid area. They originate from sweat gland outlets in the skin and are often symmetrically distributed. Syringomas often have a genetic predisposition and mainly occur in middle-aged women.

Treatment

We treat syringomas with an ultra-pulsed CO2 laser under local anaesthetic.

Immediately after treatment, there is slight reddening and swelling of the treated area, which usually lasts for around 24 hours. Small crusts form, which are an important part of the healing process and must not be scraped off. The healing process takes about 1-2 weeks and generally leaves no scars if carried out correctly.

The number of laser treatments for syringomas depends on the individual findings.

Vascularisation, couperose and haemangiomas from CHF 350.

Spider veins (treatment per 30 min.) from CHF 700.

Skin rejuvenation (partial area depending on extent) from CHF 550

Scar treatment from CHF 350

Pigmentation and age spots from CHF 350

Melasma from CHF 450

Tattoos from CHF 350