VBEAM

Pros

• Vbeam laser therapy can treat a wide variety of skin concerns.
• It’s a go-to rosacea treatment, with results usually lasting three to five years. In one study, rosacea patients saw an average of 54% improvement in the evenness of their skin tone after one Vbeam treatment.
• In another clinical study, patients with inflammatory acne had over 90% clearing of inflammatory acne lesions with a Vbeam 595 nm laser.
• The treatment is quick, and it may come with little to no downtime (depending on its intensity).

Cons

• Vbeam laser treatments aren’t recommended for people with olive or brown skin tones. Because the laser is attracted to pigment, there’s a risk of hyperpigmentation or even burns.
• The most common side effects include short-term swelling and redness.
• Some reviewers on RealSelf have reported discoloration and even scars post-treatment that lasted for weeks or months. In some cases, these side effects required additional treatments (at their own expense) to resolve. Because of issues like this, Vbeam has a 53% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf.

RealSelf Tip: All laser treatments, including this one, are extremely dependent on your provider’s skill and technique. An inexperienced provider performing an overly aggressive treatment could do lasting damage to your skin. Find someone (ideally a board-certified dermatologist, or a phlebologist, for vein concerns) with a strong track record of reviews from satisfied patients, with before and after photos to back up their credentials.

• Average Cost:
• $470

• Range:
• $149 - $1,500

Vbeam laser treatment costs $470 on average, according to patients who reviewed their procedure on RealSelf. The price you pay will depend on:

• your provider's credentials, level of experience, and reputation
• their practice location
• how many Vbeam laser treatment sessions you have

Some providers offer discounted packages if you pay for multiple sessions up front.

If cost is a concern, you can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

The Vbeam laser photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

The ideal candidate is someone with a fair to medium skin tone (Fitzpatrick skin type I-III) with no tan, and one or more of the skin concerns that can be treated by the Vbeam.

If you’ve taken Accutane or another form of isotretinoin in the past six months, your skin will be too sensitive for a Vbeam session. 

If you’re prone to cold sores, make sure to let your practitioner know, so they can prescribe antiviral medication prior to your appointment in order to avoid a breakout.

The safety of laser treatments on people who are pregnant or breastfeeding has not yet been studied, so it's best to avoid this and other cosmetic procedures during that time.

Most patients feel only mild discomfort, like the snap of a rubber band, during a Vbeam treatment session. The device has two types of cooling, and it’s a relatively quick procedure.

Unlike laser skin resurfacing procedures that require numbing cream and considerable downtime, this laser doesn’t remove any of your skin’s surface: it just breaks up pigment. Because of that, it’s much less painful.

Here's what to expect on the day of your appointment:

• You'll be asked to head to your Vbeam treatment with a clean, make-up-free face.
• Your provider will cleanse the skin in the treatment area again before starting.
• You’ll be given goggles to protect your eyes from the intense laser light.
• As the session begins, your provider will move the laser across the pigmented area, briefly pressing the applicator tip against the skin.

A Vbeam treatment session could take only a few minutes, or it might take 30 minutes or longer, depending on the size of the treatment area.

The treated area will be red and possibly even swollen for at least a few hours after your treatment.

Dr. Michael Echavez, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco, says that your skin may look worse over the first week, with redness, swelling, or bruising in the treated areas. If you have sensitive skin, this could last several weeks.

Your provider should give you aftercare instructions, including recommendations for a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

If you’re treating veins or cherry angiomas (very small red growths), you may see your final results within six weeks of one treatment. 

For all other conditions, expect to have a series of three to five sessions, spaced a month apart.

You may need follow-up sessions a few years later to maintain your results. In the meantime, avoid direct sun and wear sunscreen every day, to help prevent new pigmentation issues.