Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy

Aging has no specific timetable, and there is no average time when you will start seeing the effects of aging. There are several factors that lead to the first visible signs of aging or accelerate this aging process. These include internal issues like genetics or external aspects such as too much exposure to harmful sun rays or other environmental reason, or medical and health conditions due to things such as improper diet and poor lifestyle and nonexistent preventative measures like a good skin care regimen.

One interesting anti-aging solution is pulsed dye laser, which is a popular form of laser therapy that minimizes aging to a great extent and helps restore and much more youthful appearance.

Reason For Treatment

Pulsed dye laser is used for ‘correcting’ targeted areas like scars and blemishes. There are also specific ‘preventative’ sessions you can take as well.  PDL treatments can be used for the smoothening of scars or reducing sun damage. Generally, benefits from PDL include the stimulation of collagen formation and speedy cell turn-over which cause skin rejuvenation and a glowing and youthful appearance.

Patients also see a great improvement in their skin tone post-treatment. Similar to several other correction options, the pulsed dye laser effects depend on the quality of treatment, desired results and the present state of the skin. The size and depth of wrinkles and fine lines determine the treatment and the attention and effort required.

Hyperpigmentation disorders, like melasmas and age spots can be treated effectively.  Besides this, patients can also optimally get rid of spider veins, moles, warts, birthmarks, broken capillaries, and cherry angiomas with this treatment.

PDL Therapy Sessions

One pulsed dye laser session lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. However, it can be as short as 15 minutes for minuscule broken capillaries. Normally patients can see visible results after 1 to 3 sessions. Severe damage like bad, deep set scars or deep lines can require a number of sittings. For the more critical reparations, ProFractional treatment is recommended.  During PDL treatments, the patients’ eyes are protected by a pair of thick and dark glasses during the course of the treatment.

How It Works

Energy-filled light beams of the pulsed dye laser are focused on the blood vessels of the targeted areas of the skin. The heat emitted by the laser light destroys these unwanted blood vessels without harming the healthier skin cells beneath or around them. The yellow laser light of PDL is considered very safe as it cannot cause any lasting damage. Pulse duration and PDL wavelengths can be customized in keeping with the patients’ needs.

Warning

Nevertheless, the PDL treatment has one side-effect. Since the new skin cells that appear due to treatment lead to new and healthy outer skin, this skin is much more prone to damage from sunrays. As such, it is advised that the patients wear large hats to protect the face and use sunscreen of SPF 45 or higher daily after treatment.

Post-Treatment Side Effects

Overall, the pulsed dye laser is non-abrasive and gentle. Bruising of the treated skin can occur but that subsides within 3 to 14 days, depending on its intensity.

Pain & Safety

Pulsed dye laser treatments assure its patients of minimal pain during and after the treatment. The prickling feeling, due to insertion of the laser, is curbed by a cold spray before the laser pulse is made. An anesthetic cream can also be applied.