Before you get started.

Select appropriate patients. Patient selection should be based on the clinician's assessment of the individual patient including medical history. Discuss patient expectations and treatment results prior to obtaining the written consent.

Clean the treatment site. Remove all substances from the intended treatment area, including topical anesthetics, makeup, lotions, ointments, deodorants, self-tanning products, and hair spray/gel products. The epidermis should be completely clean and dry prior to treatment to prevent epidermal damage.

Obtain a complete medication history. Patients utilizing oral medications that have been reported to produce photosensitivity of the skin, should consult with their provider. The provider may advise the patient to refrain from utilizing certain topical medications for 72 hours pre and post treatment to avoid a potential photosensitivity reaction.

Treatment.

Evaluate the Skin Type. Patients with darker skin types may require lower fluences and cryogen settings to reduce or minimize undesirable hypopigmentation or blistering. Suntanned patients should not be treated until the tan fades to avoid blistering and hypopigmentation.

Select parameters. When choosing settings, be aware that some fluence and wavelength combinations may induce purpura after the treatment. The interrelationship of spot size, pulse width, fluence and cyrogen settings are important in the selection of therapeutic parameters and will depend on the size of the lesion and individual patient skin characteristics at each treatment session. The provider must evaluate the laser tissue response during and subsequent to the laser treatment.

Other advice:
  • Test areas may be helpful when treating large or complex vascular lesions. Evaluate the test area sites in 6-8 weeks prior to treating the entire lesion.
  • When treating leg veins, have patient lay flat, as opposed to sitting with legs dangling.
  • Edema and erythema may occur regardless of the pulse width and fluence. Both resolve within a few hours to several days and may be diminished by the application of a cold compress and elevation of the treated area.
  • Patients on daily low-dose aspirin therapy, iron supplementation, anticoagulants, herbal supplements (ginkgo, garlic, and ginseng) may bruise more readily. Test small area first.
  • Do not use flammable products on the skin or in the vicinity of the laser.
After Treatment.

Cold compresses or gel packs may be applied after treatment to decrease discomfort and edema. A moisturizing sun block or other soothing topical ointment may be applied after treatment. Instruct the patient in proper use of sun block #30 SPF or higher to avoid sun-induced hyperpigmentation. Provide your patient with complete written and verbal post-treatment instructions.

Candela customers please note: For complete treatment parameters and more information log onto to the MyCandela.com website.


 

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