I have very small, red veins around my nose. Which treatment would get rid of them for good? Also, I have some light melasma around my lips and forehead. Is there a treatment you can recommend for getting rid of that too?
The small red vessels around the nose are dilated capillaries - not veins - and will respond to treatment with a vascular laser (KTP 532nm, PDL 585nm). IPL rarely results in their disappearance although they may appear to be gone for a few hours, days or weeks - they usually return.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
For the red veins on your nose and face, we use the Cutera Excel V laser. It is an amazing procedure that is short, relatively pain-free, and instantaneous in removing veins. You literally can come in the office with veins on your face and nose and leave without them. As far as the melasma, that would need to be analyzed, preferably by a board-certified dermatologist, who likely would have a Cutera or similar laser in their office.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
All of this most likely can be treated with a laser on the same visit. We use a YAG laser to take care of the tiny capillaries on the face, and then usually a photofacial laser for melasma. Sometimes melasma needs to be treated with chemical peels and topical at-home products like Retin A, but you will need to have your skin looked at to determine which route is best for you!
Published on Jul 11, 2012