Lasers target vascular lesions, such as telangiectasias, spider angiomas, hemangiomas, port-wine stains, and cherry angiomas, by selectively collapsing the blood vessels without harming surrounding tissue. This process is known as selective photothermolysis, which works on the principle that hemoglobin in blood vessels absorbs light at specific wavelengths.
How It Works:
- Laser Wavelength and Hemoglobin Absorption: Clarity II uses wavelengths that are absorbed by hemoglobin in blood vessels. Hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color, absorbs light in the red and near-infrared spectrum, allowing the laser to target vascular lesions effectively.
- Energy Absorption and Heat Production: The absorbed light is converted into heat, causing the blood vessel walls to coagulate. This intense heat makes the vessels collapse without affecting the surrounding tissue.
- Thermal Damage to Blood Vessels: The heat disrupts the structure of the blood vessels, coagulating the blood and damaging the vessel walls. This causes the vessel to collapse and either become absorbed by the body or stop blood flow.
- Natural Healing Process: Over the following weeks, the body's lymphatic system breaks down and absorbs the treated blood vessels, gradually fading the lesion and improving the skin's appearance.
- Precision and Safety: The Clarity II laser uses a dual-wavelength system, which adjusts based on the lesion's size, depth, and the patient's skin type. This ensures targeted treatment with minimal discomfort and reduced risk of damage to surrounding skin.
- Results and Recovery: After treatment, the blood vessels may appear darker briefly, but they will gradually fade. Most patients notice improvement after one session, though multiple treatments may be needed for deeper or more stubborn lesions. Recovery is minimal, and normal activities can usually be resumed immediately.
In Summary:
Laser treatment effectively eliminates vascular lesions by targeting hemoglobin in blood vessels with specific wavelengths. The thermal damage causes the vessels to collapse, and the body naturally absorbs the damaged tissue, leading to clearer, healthier skin. Multiple treatments may be required for optimal results.