Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) is a medical laser treatment used by dermatologists to help reduce vascularity, birthmarks, redness and scars.
What is Pulsed Dye Laser?
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) is a non-invasive laser therapy that targets blood vessels and vascularity in the skin. The laser emits a beam of light that is absorbed by tiny blood vessels, causing them to heat up and collapse. This process is known as selective photothermolysis, and it is what makes PDL effective at treating vascular skin conditions.
PDL is calibrated to emit light at a specific wavelength that is specifically absorbed by the blood vessels. This targeted approach minimizes damage to surrounding tissue and allows for fast healing times.
Why is PDL used for Scar Treatments?
Scar treatment is the process of improving the appearance of a scar through a variety of treatments. PDL may be used for any red scar because it not only reduces the visual impact of redness, but by doing so, modulates the scar and encourages it to become less active, less likely to worsen and appear more like normal skin.
When a scar forms, blood vessels in the area can become dilated and visible, creating a red or purple appearance. PDL targets these blood vessels, causing them to collapse and reducing the redness of the scar. PDL can also stimulate collagen production in the skin, which can improve the texture of the scar and make it less noticeable.
PDL is commonly used for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Hypertrophic scars are raised, red scars that form when the body produces too much collagen during the healing process. Keloids are like hypertrophic scars but extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound and may be more unpredictable and more aggressive.
PDL is also effective at reducing the appearance of red scars caused by acne, surgery, or injury. It can improve the texture of the skin and reduce the visibility of the scar, helping to improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Conclusion
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) is a safe and effective way to reduce the appearance of vascularity, red scars, rosacea (redness of face/neck/chest) and vascular birthmarks. It works by selectively targeting blood vessels in the skin, causing them to collapse and reducing the appearance of redness and scarring.
PDL has no downtime, with most wearing makeup, sunscreen and returning to work immediately after treatment.