How does the KTP laser work?
Facial redness, broken capillaries and angiomas (red dots), rosacea and port wine stains can all be successfully treated with the KTP laser. The bright green laser light is absorbed selectively into shallow blood vessels which are gently headed to stimulate a repair process. Some blood vessels disappear on contact with the laser and those that do not immediately make take up to 4 weeks to fully resolve, or require additional treatment. This process is quick, easy and an affordable option by comparison to other technologies currently available. Once vessels have become visible at the surface level they will only be successfully treated with laser applications.
What is the KTP Laser Treatment?
The Gemini KTP Laser is the most powerful green-light laser available and has been designed to target excess blood vessel proliferation in the skin. The Gemini laser is a true laser, meaning it has a single wavelength instead of the more common BBL/IPL (broad band light/intense pulsed light) which is filtered light that can absorb into coloration of the skin, limiting the amount of energy that can be used to treat vessels, resulting in more treatments. IPL is effective for some patients with light skin and dark spots, but tends to take 3-5 treatments for the sort of lasting results that can be achieved with a single KTP treatment. This can be performed with minimal downtime (2-3 days of mild swelling) and is relatively painless.
What can I expect during the treatment?
Treatment of a spot areas, up to full face, requires approximately 15-40 minutes. Although patients do improve when additional treatments are added, usually patients only require 1-3 treatment on their face. Sometimes a touch-up procedure is required, depending on their desired result, and appointment may be scheduled after 4 weeks or more. Protective eye shields will be placed over your eyes. Cold, clear gel is applied to your face as a coupling agent for the laser. During the treatment, you will be able to feel each pulse of the laser energy shine into your skin, as it gently warms blood vessels. Most patients report their pain as being extremely mild but certain areas may be more sensitive, like the upper lip and nose. Afterwards there may be a slight sunburn sensation and redness that can easily be covered with makeup provided.
Patient Testimonials
Immediate improvement in vessels is noticed, although improvements in blood vessels continue over the next 4-6 weeks. For patients with numerous vessels or background redness without vessels, more treatments will continue to help. Red angioma spots may immediately turn gray-brown and appear shallower within the skin. Make-up can cover these areas up, but the gray-brown spots will flake off subtly over the next week with normal care. Your provider will review the full after care instructions to explain the expected outcome and expectations of the days ahead.
