Lasers have been used to treat skin lesions such as birthmarks for over 30 years. Until recently, this treatment was nonselective in that it destroyed the overlying skin as well as the lesion so the end result was a scar.

This problem has now been overcome by development of new lasers which recognize individual colors in skin so that colored lesions can be selectively destroyed without scarring or change in texture of the skin. By using different lasers, each designed with an individual target in mind, it is possible to target blood vessels, tattoos, brown pigment lesions and hair with minimal risk of harming surrounding structures.


- Blood Vessel Removal

- Brown Pigmented Lesions

- Hair Removal

- Tattoo Removal

- Treatment of Sunlight damage and Wrinkles

- Psoriasis Laser Treatment

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Blood Vessel Removal

Telangiectasias or so-called broken veins on the face, often part of rosacea, broken veins on the legs, portwine stains and hemangiomas in children and red-spots on the body in adults all can be selectively destroyed. The Candela pulsed-dye laser was the first selective laser and it was designed to destroy small blood vessels in the skin by recognizing the red color of red blood cells in blood vessels. The Candela V-Beam is the latest version of this laser and it can often remove blood vessels without bruising so that downtime is minimal. First used to treat portwine stain birthmarks, it remains the gold-standard treatment for all types of vascular birthmarks as well as rosacea and broken veins on the face.

Anesthesia is usually not required for treatment, post-procedure recovery time is minimal and scarring or change in texture of the skin is extremely unusual.

The Photoderm, an intense-pulsed light source, is more effective for broken veins on legs since it can penetrate deeper to reach veins at this site. Unlike injection treatment of veins, there is no need for limitation of activity or compression bandaging after Photoderm treatment. Usually a couple of treatments are required to remove any given vein but large areas, such as a complete lower limb, can be treated in one session. Blue veins on the leg can also be treated using the recently introduced long-pulsed Nd/YAG laser.

Before Photoderm treatment

After Photoderm treatment

Brown Pigmented Lesions

Sunspots, aging spots, freckles and brown birthmarks can be selectively removed from the skin by targeting melanin in the skin. The Medlite Nd/YAG laser is two lasers in one and permits destruction of shallow and deep pigment in the skin. The procedure is quick and relatively painless, post-procedure care is minimal and the skin usually reverts to a normal color.

Before Medlite Nd/YAG treatment

After Medlite Nd/YAG treatment

Hair Removal Laser

Laser destruction of hair has opened a new era for treatment of excess and unwanted hair. Selective destruction of pigment cells in the hair follicles results in a growth delay of the hair and several treatments cause a progressive reduction in hair counts. The main advantage over traditional electrolysis is that large areas can be treated quickly with minor discomfort. The Epilight hair removal system can remove hair from all parts of the body and permits a return to regular activities immediately.











Tattoo Removal

A major goal of selective laser treatment has been removal of tattoos without causing scarring. Tattoos have been removed by lasers for years but the treatment has always involved swapping the tattoo for an ugly scar. This has changed. It is now possible to remove many tattoos and leave behind normal skin. The Nd/YAG Q-switched laser uses two wavelengths to target multiple colors. The laser light explodes the pigment in the skin so it can then be removed by the body. Several treatments are usually required to produce maximal improvement. Anesthesia is usually not necessary but is available if a tender area is being treated.

Before Nd/YAG Q-switched treatment

After Nd/YAG Q-switched treatment

Treatment of Sunlight Damage and Wrinkles

Several lasers are available to treat aging changes in the skin and wrinkles. these lasers produce minimal disturbance in the skin so that downtime is greatly reduced.



Psoriasis Laser Treatment

A Photomedix eximer laser is used to treat localized psoriasis. treatments are quickand painless and usually result in rapid resolution of disease. This laser is now being used to trat psoriasis on the scalp and we recently reported excellent results with the treatment. It requires 10 to 30 treatments and often gives long remissions.

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