Laser therapy at Leeds Hospital

Lasers are devices producing a powerful beam of light, which can have different applications and effects depending upon the type of laser used.  Laser treatments are now widespread in modern medicine and are used not only for skin treatments but also for eye surgery, general surgery and various other medical applications.

CO2 Laser for Skin Resurfacing

CO2 laser resurfacing has been developed using laser technology to reverse some of the changes of photo-damaged skin.  Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out by the laser surgery.  Deep laughter lines and frown creases can also be softened.  It can be used to minimise acne and surgical scars.  The resurfaced skin tends to have a freshened, softer, silkier appearance.  In addition to treating fine lines and wrinkles it also treats other sun damaged skin lesions in particular actinic keratoses, seborrhoeic keratoses, simple lentigos and sebaceous hyperplasia.  Some skin tumours can also be treated.

PDL (Pulsed Dye Laser) for Vascular Lesions such as Port Wine Stains, Campbell de Morgan spots, Haemangiomas & Red Scars

Many skin blemishes respond well to laser treatment, from large, purple ‘Port Wine Stains’ to small clusters of red thread veins just below the skin.  Although most unsightly marks are harmless, some will spread if untreated, and they can all be embarrassing and disfiguring. Your own particular skin condition will be discussed at your consultation.

YAG (Nd Q-Switched Laser) for Pigmented Lesions & Tattoo Removal

The laser we use for treating pigmented lesions and tattoo removal is a Q-switched Nd YAG Laser.  The wavelength of the laser light is specially tuned to be absorbed by the pigment in the skin.  The pigment is destroyed by the laser and the body’s natural scavenging systems can then dispose of the pigment.  This process takes about two months and can carry on working for longer.  Therefore the minimum time between treatments is two months.

Laser Hair Removal & treatment of Thread Veins of the Leg

Laser hair removal is designed to reduce hair growth by using the light energy from a laser.  Unwanted hair is a common problem in women and men.  Shaving, waxing, and tweezing only produce temporary results and can generally only be carried out on relatively small areas. Laser hair removal treatment can be used to reduce small and large areas of unwanted hair from the body.  This laser works best on pale skin and dark hair.  The hair will become lighter and finer and less noticeable than coarse dark hair. 

Thread veins and spider veins of the leg are caused by small veins under the skin.  Sometimes these occur on their own or in the presence of bigger swollen veins (varicose veins).  Laser treatment and injection (sclerotherapy) are two different ways of getting rid of thread and spider veins.  If varicose veins are also present, the thread veins may re-occur.  During your first consultation the Consultant may recommend that you see a Consultant Vascular Surgeon for possible surgery to correct your varicose veins before having laser treatment.  We may also recommend sclerotherapy for some veins, instead of laser treatment.  At your first consultation you will be offered treatment to a small test area on your leg.  This gives us an opportunity to see how well your skin tolerates laser treatment and what laser settings are most appropriate to treat all of your thread veins of the leg.  A full treatment will take place one month after patch tests.