Many vascular conditions can be treated with Nd:YAG (1064nm) lasers, including rosacea, angiomas, telangiectasias and others. The 1064nm laser wavelength is well suited for these applications because it selectively targets hemoglobin in the affected tissue with- out damaging the surrounding skin. The Neo – thanks to it’s innovative 650 Microsecond Technology® – takes this application to a new level of comfort and safety, delivering up to 13,000 watts of power within a safe pulse duration. Suzanne Rosenberg, DO, of Woodmere, NY, is a dermatologist who also specializes in vein treatment.
“I use the Neo routinely to treat rosacea, telangiectasias and other vascular lesion,” she said. “With rosacea, the Neo allows for an easy procedure without any contact to the treated skin and no pain at all. When treating angiomas and telangiectasias, I simply turn up the power and adjust the settings to a 2mm spot size. With this laser I find treatment efficacy and ease of use to be high while the level of pain and discomfort is very low. This laser nicely rounds out my vein practice, complement- ing other procedures such as sclerotherapy.”
“The Neo is a versatile instrument for many vascular treatments,” Said Ingeborg Dziedzic, MD, an ophthalmologist practicing in Pleasantville, NY. “The laser allows for the removal of rosacea in a quick but gentle procedure. Spider veins and other vessels can be cleared in 1 to 3 treatments. The compact size of the device is very useful as my treatment rooms are small and crowded with equipment; I can use the laser in a small area and then store it, completely out of the way. The controls are very simple which makes it easy to operate and adds an extra safety margin. My patients are ecstatic with the results.”
The high power output of the Neo results in significant energy absorption in the targeted veins and capillaries, leading to destruction or closure of the vessels. The laser energy is delivered in a pulse duration below or close to the thermal relaxation time of human skin tissue – which is approximately 0.8 milliseconds. In contrast to ultra long pulse durations that are common in 1064nm lasers, Neo avoids the overheating of epidermal melanin and the associated potential for pain and side effects.
“I’ve treated many patients with rosacea,” said Aletha Tippett, MD, a family physician who practices in Blue Ash, OH. “What’s great about the Neo is that, in addition to the removal of the underlying rosacea, the patient gets a simultaneous benefit of facial skin rejuvenation, thanks to the collagen remodeling that is stimulated by the laser. I now have two Neo lasers in my practice as well as the Era.”
Dr.Tippett also uses the laser for spider veins, often on the ankles and lower leg areas.
“People are very conscious about small veins, particularly bluish ones that can stand out more in contrast to the surrounding skin. The Neo can be used on red or blue veins and are usually cleared in 1 or 2 sessions,” she said.
