Find a Board Certified Cosmetic Dermatologist in Philadelphia
An Interview with Dr. James Fairfield, MD, FAAD on Cosmetic Dermatology
Dr. James Fairfield, MD, FAAD, is board certified in Dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Cosmetic Dermatology.
Q. What causes spider veins on face and legs?
A. Face: genetics; sun exposure; rosacea; even old injuries.
Legs: genetics; injuries (like being hit by a tennis ball.)
Q. How does laser treatment help treat facial and leg spider veins?
A. I use a green light laser for facial vessels. The red in the vessel absorbs the laser light -- destroying the vessels, but having the skin intact.
Leg veins are treated with a 1064 Nd: YAG laser -- same thing -- the red in the vessels absorbs the light energy, destroying the vessel, and sparing surrounding skin.
Q. How many laser treatments are required to effectively treat facial and spider veins?
A. Depends on the number of vessels. Usually one or two treatments for the face, one to three for legs.
Q. Are there any side effects of using laser treatment for facial and spider veins?
A. Not for the face.
Legs: can have some blood leakage (bruising) which we treat with vitamin K cream.
Q. Are the effects permanent?
A. If you mean results -- yes -- for the vessels destroyed. Clients are advised, if genetically they are predisposed to making NEW vessels they may need treatment later on.
