![]() Camouflage creams such as lycogel are also an alternative treatment. The number of treatments required depends on the size, the colour and the response of the birth mark to the treatment. At Cheshire Lasers we find 4 to 10 treatments are needed to achieve results. ![]() Treatment of port-wine stains with lasers can give good or excellent results. They are caused by a localised area of abnormal blood vessels. Sara Read demonstrates the use of the Gemini laser on a patient with a port wine stain.Port-Wine stains are red or purple marks, often on the face. Once again, port wine stains are very resistant to any laser treatments, and usually require multiple treatments. ![]() These can sometimes be treated with the Erbium laser to help flatten these lesions. Port wine stain nodules may appear in the third to fourth decade of life. The Gemini 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. The Gemini laser in some studies has been shown to be able to treat port wine stains that are resistant to treatment with pulsed dye lasers (see link to journal article at bottom of page). It does however, penetrate very deeply which helps to compensate for the relatively lower attraction to haemoglobin. The 1064nm wavelength is also attracted to the haemoglobin in port wine stains, but not to such a high degree. The Gemini laser emits a wavelength of 532nm that is highly attracted to haemoglobin or the blood in the Port wine stain. The 532nm wavelength is the primary laser wavelength used in treatment of port wine stains. More recently, port wine stains have also been treated with the 532nm and 1064nm wavelengths of the Gemini laser. This is a process is called selective photothermolysis. The heat energy from the laser is preferentially taken up by the port wine stain, and less energy is taken up by the normal skin, thus allowing for selective treatment of the port wine stain. It has a wavelength of 595nm and is highly attracted to the haemoglobin or the blood in the port wine stain. Traditionally, the pulsed dye laser has been the laser of choice for the treatment of port wine stains. At Victorian Cosmetic Institute, we treat only the adult population with port wine stains. Usually multiple treatments are required, and there is usually lightening of the port wine stain, but complete removal is often not possible. ![]() Often these are commenced in early childhood. Once an appropriate assessment has been made, laser treatment can be performed. Port wine stains can often lead to increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), or be a sign of an underlying medical problem (e.g. This is performed by our medical practitioners. The first step of treatment, however, is an assessment to confirm the diagnosis, and to exclude any underlying medical problems. Port wine stains are best treated with lasers that are attracted to the haemoglobin (blood) present in the affected 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. The appearance of port wine stains, as the name suggests, are a reddish/purple colour, and raised nodules can form within the area. Port wine stains commonly occur on the face, but can occur anywhere on the body, and often affect large surface areas. 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 the face is affected. Port wine stains are birthmarks that are due to congenital malformation of the veins and capillaries of the skin. Port wine stains are no longer treated at VCI.
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