How Long Before Treated Area Clears Up?

Question

I had Vbeam laser surgery on my cheeks on both sides of my face on Monday and today if Friday. They told me it would only last a few days. It looked awful the first few days and not much better now. I think the doctor used a high setting (heard him tell the technician to set it up to ?? before starting. I don't want to go out of my house looking like this. How long before this goes away and I can feel normal looking again?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Vbeam laser is an excellent modality for patients who have rosacea, blushing of the skin, facial and body telangiectasia, spider veins, redness, post surgical redness, and skin flushing. It is a safe procedure that can be used at varying depths to help treat micro blood vessels in the skin. We also use it in our office for facial skin inflammation, keloids, and hypertrophic scarring. It is an important part of scar therapy. Vbeam can be combined with chemical peels and other lasers, but experience with the treatment is essential. The Vbeam laser does not affect deeper tissue. Schedule a consultation with an expert in Vbeam and you will find it to be an excellent modality for many skin types. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

It looks from the photo that the technician that the settings were high and bruised you.  The bad news is that it can take a week or two to resolve.  The good news is that the higher the setting the more quickly your condition will be treated.  Generally speaking, you can have good results without bruising most patients.  I would return to your physician and tell them that you would like to have this procedure on much lower settings next time without the bruising. It is really important to go to a trained dermatologist when receiving treatments and not a technician in the future.

Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD · Answer

Dear Patient,

	From what I can tell in the photo, it appears that you have bruising after VBeam therapy. This is a potential common side effect, especially if higher settings are used. Like any bruising, this should resolve in 1-2 weeks. To diminish bruising sooner, consult your laser surgeon. The doctor may recommend ice pack treatments, stopping any blood thinners (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin), and potentially using the same Vbeam laser with different settings, to decrease some of the prominent bruising. Good luck.

How Long Before Treated Area Clears Up?

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How Long Before Treated Area Clears Up?

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Everything you need to know about Vbeam

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.