Vascular Lesions

Are you embarrassed by red vessels?

Vascular lesions are the result of numerous or large vessels that form directly underneath your skin. These lesions occur in many sizes, shapes and can be found all over the body. They occur in a variety of forms including port wine stains, broken capillaries, diffuse redness, hemangiomas and cherry angiomas. You no longer have to accept them as a price for growing older or as an accident of birth.

How does Ellipse treatment work?

Short, safe bursts of light are directed at the skin. These may be visible Intense Pulsed Light (called I2PL technology by Ellipse) or from a laser, depending on the condition you want treated. The system filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absor- bed by haemoglobin in the blood in your problem vessels. The light is converted to heat, which des- troys the protein in the wall of the vessels, causing the vessels to gradually disappear after treatment. To ensure the best light transmission, a thin layer of gel (like that used in ultrasound examinations) is applied to your skin before treatment.

Which vessels can be treated?

Many different problems can be treated. Treatments are most efficient in patients with light skin who are not suntanned at the time of the treatment. If your skin is less tanned, the contrast between the blood vessels and background colour of the skin is greater, making treatment easier. However, Ellipse has pre- programmed settings for different skin types that de- liver the correct energy output for your complexion. The images in this leaflet, will give you some idea of what is possible.

How long does an Ellipse treatment take?

Often, several vessels can be targeted in one flash of light. The treatment time depends on the area to be covered and the number of distinct vessels to be trea- ted. A single session typically lasts 15-20 minutes.

Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?

It is, important to avoid tanning (sun, solarium or self- tanning products) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effective and less comfortable. It is also a good idea to avoid smoking in the 4 hours prior to treatment. Generally, no spe- cial care is necessary after treatment, but people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying a cold com- press (a cold damp cloth) to the area immediately af- ter treatment or from using an ointment prescribed by the doctor. After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, even if there is no sign of in- flammation in the treated area. Use sun protection (minimum SPF 30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.

How many Ellipse treatments do I need?

The number of treatments depends on location and number of the vessels to be treated.

Does the treatment hurt?

No anaesthetics are required, and many patients describe the treatment as being like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day on the beach.

How can I be sure Ellipse is safe and effective?

Clinical trials documenting Ellipse’s safety and effec- tiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the launch of the treatments, and these were publis- hed in respected, referenced medical journals. You are welcome to view these scientific papers on the Ellipse website at www.ellipse.com.