Port-Wine stains are red or purple marks, often on the face. They are caused by a localised area of abnormal blood vessels.
Treatment of port-wine stains with lasers can give good or excellent results. At Cheshire Lasers we find 4 to 10 treatments are needed to achieve results. The number of treatments required depends on the size, the colour and the response of the birth mark to the treatment. Camouflage creams such as lycogel are also an alternative treatment.
Here is an example of a Port-Wine Stain Reduction treatment performed at Cheshire Lasers Clinic.
Treatment works best the younger you are, at Cheshire Lasers most of the clients we have treated so far have been in their 30s and 40s and we have still had good to excellent results. Treatments tend to work less well in adults who have had a port-wine stain for many years and it has become bumpy and raised.
Treatment tends to work best on smaller port-wine stains of the face and less well on the arms and legs. Generally, the paler the port-wine stain, the greater the chance of excellent results with less treatments.
The laser or IPL treatment can cause an unpleasant stinging. Treatments are given about 4 to 6 weeks apart. There may be pain, bruising and swelling over the treated area for a while after each session.
What is a Port-Wine Stain?
A port-wine stain is a red or purple mark on the skin. It is usually present from birth. About 3 in 1000 babies are born with a port-wine stain. Most occur on the face but any area of the skin can be affected. Port-wine stains affect males and females equally. They are not hereditary.
What do Port-Wine Stains look like?
Port-wine stains vary in size from a few millimetres across to many centimetres. Their colour can vary from pale red to deep purple. If left untreated, port-wine stains tend to darken over the years as the blood flow through them becomes more sluggish. The overlying skin is smooth and flat at first. By middle age the overlying skin can become thickened and lumpy (a ‘cobblestone’ appearance).
What causes Port-Wine Stains?
A port-wine stain is a localised blood vessel problem. The tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in port-wine stains remain dilated (wide). It is like a permanent localised blush. The reason why this occurs is thought to be due to a damaged or faulty nerve supply to the affected tiny blood vessels. The nerve impulses that make the blood vessels narrower are lost so they then stay wide all the time.
What are the symptoms of Port-Wine Stains?
Apart from their appearance, no other symptoms or problems occur in most cases. However, about 1 in 10 babies born with a port-wine stain on the face have problems of the eye or brain. * Eye problems may develop if the port-wine stain is on the eyelid area. If a child has a port-wine stain next to an eye then an eye specialist will normally check the child regularly until they are adult. * Brain abnormalities are an uncommon association with port-wine stains of the face. This is due to extensive blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, (The Sturge-Weber syndrome), Epilepsy and other problems may then develop. The majority of children with port-wine stains do not have these complications.
Ultraformer III is the latest non-surgical technology using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Micro-Macro Focused Ultrasound (MMFU) it delivers safe, non-invasive face, neck and body lifting treatments.
Ultraformer III is not only good for skin lifting and tightening; it also helps with lines, wrinkles, pores, skin tone, and laxity.
How does Ultraformer III work?
Ultraformer is a revolutionary skin-lifting and tightening treatment that uses the gentle, safe, time-tested energy of ultrasound at a micro-focused level to create a powerful energy.
The Ultraformer reduces the fatty deposits in the jowl and jawline area, which pull the face down. It also stimulates the growth of new collagen over time, which strengthens and tones your skin from deep within, creating a lifting and a tightening effect.
Ultraformer III results excel the most when treating the jowl, jawline and neck. At Cheshire Lasers, we highly recommend this Ultraformer for tightening up the jawline, to reduce sagging jowls and neck. It is especially effective in people who have heavy jowls.
The Ultraformer III can also be used to treat other areas of the body including; the abdomen, buttocks, upper arms and knees. The therapist can select various attachments to suit the skin in the treatment area.
How long does the Ultraformer Jowl treatment take?
Ultraformer has a fast shooting speed, which means a jowl or jawline treatment takes only 40 minutes. The upper neck and jowl area treated together can take about an hour.
How many Ultraformer treatments will I need?
One treatment is often enough for most people; however, you may require a second one for the best results.
A second treatment will usually be carried out around five months later.
The results can last up to a year and sometimes can last 18 months. Most people arrange another treatment when the results start to wear off.
When will I start to see the results of Ultraformer?
Some people can see results immediately after a jowl/jawline Ultraformer treatment. This is due to heat stimulation during the treatment, which can make your skin look more rejuvenated, fresher, tighter and firmer.
The ultimate results develop 60 to 100 days after the treatment when the collagen regeneration becomes noticeable. As collagen production can be ongoing, most patients will continue to see the effects of treatment improve sometime after the session.
Is Ultraformer treatment painful?
During the treatment, you will feel warm pulses of ultrasound energy deep under the skin, which causes the collagen and muscle layers to contract. Some people may find this uncomfortable, but others report no pain with the treatment at all. Some people will need to take some simple painkillers before the treatment; however, this depends on the pain sensitivity level of each individual, the area to be treated and the size of the area to be treated.
What is the recovery time for Ultraformer treatments?
You can go back to work and routine life immediately after the treatment.
Does Ultraformer have any side effects?
Heat levels created by the Ultraformer device are not damaging to the surrounding tissue, as it only targets the treated area. The energy is delivered to the deeper levels of the skin, and not to the upper layers. This means there should be no visible signs on the skin’s surface after the procedure.
The most frequently reported side effects are:
Swelling
Redness
Tingling of the skin
Tenderness
Bruising
The only other noticeable effects will be lifting and tightening.
There may be slight redness for up to an hour or so following the treatment.
A small percentage of patients may have slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to touch over the treated area, but these are mild and tend to last no more than a few days.
Bruising can occur and is usually minor but can be more severe, especially in people who are prone to bruising.
A small proportion of people may experience slight tingling or tenderness in the area treated for several weeks as the growth of new collagen occurs.
Is Ultraformer safe?
Ultrasound technology has been used by medical professionals for scans including pregnancy scans as well as other indications for over 50 years.
Ultraformer has been cleared by the Korean FDA after demonstrating safety in clinical studies. Tens of thousands of treatments have been performed worldwide without any significant adverse events.
Can I receive Botox and fillers in addition to Ultraformer treatments?
Yes you can; however, we usually advise you have the Ultraformer treatment a month before you have any injectable treatments if they are in the same area.
In the past, Ultraformer treatments could not be carried out directly over fillers injected in the previous three months. It is now believed that it is safe to treat over fillers. However, we recommend a consultation with Dr Johnson first to make sure you are suitable. She can assess your face, what fillers you have had and where, and then decide on the best treatment plan for you.
You can have Botox on the same day if you are having the treatments in different areas. If the treatments are for the same area, we normally recommend you leave a 2-week window between treatments.
The procedure was quick and painless with instant results. Immediately my skin was tighter and brighter. No downtime was needed whatsoever, I applied makeup and returned to work the next day. Friends and work colleagues all commented on how well and fresh I looked…this was only after a day or so after the treatment. Over the following months, the appearance of my skin kept improving and my cheek areas became more ‘plump’ and my forehead tighter. The results from the full face treatment for me lasted around 10-11 months. I would highly recommend the ultra former procedure. Carrie S.
After 12 years of trying to smooth out my jawline, I have at last received a treatment which is totally amazing. A facelift, threads and expensive treatments for jowls had not helped at all. At Cheshire Lasers I was treated with the ULTRAFORMER 3 HIFU Jawline treatment and immediately noticed a difference. After 3 months the results were even more obvious and still progressing. I am delighted with my profile and can highly recommend this procedure for a great confidence boost. Lynda M aged 63.
At Cheshire Lasers, we have a wide rang of treatments for skin rejuvenation.
Cheshire Lasers uses the Intense Pulsed Light ( IPL) system for skin rejuvenation when there are brown spots (pigmentation) or redness caused by thread veins.
Pulsed light quickly removes brown and thread veins and stimulates the production of new collagen.
At Cheshire Lasers, we us a Lynton Aqs System made by Lynton Lasers a local company from Holmes Chapel with a fantastic reputation.
IPL Skin Rejuvenation Consultation Procedure
Prior to any treatment our Level 4 Laser Technician will provide a full consultation. The consultation identifies your expectations and provides a complete explanation of the treatment. A medical history is taken to confirm suitability for treatment. If you wish to proceed, written informed consent is obtained, and a test patch is performed to confirm there are no adverse skin reactions to the light.
How does Intense Pulsed Light work?
Intense pulsed light systems release precisely controlled short pulses of filtered light that stimulate the fibroblast cells within the skin that produce collagen and elastin. This improves the radiancy and tightness of the skin, controlling enlarged pores, and giving a more uniform complexion.
What does an IPL Skin Rejuvenation Treatment involve?
After cleaning the skin a mild, we will apply a gentle skin peel to remove the top layers of dead skin.
To protect your eyes, you will need to wear goggles.
We will apply a layer of cool gel to the treatment area to guide the light into the skin.
The light applicator is placed onto the skin, and a quick light pulse is released. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area, which is repeated until the entire area is treated. The chilled gel is removed, and the area is cooled.
Am I suitable for treatment?
This treatment is only suitable for lighter skin tones.
At the bottom of this page, we list other skin rejuvenation treatments which we can discuss if you have a darker skin tone.
We can not recommend treatment if you have the following conditions:
pregnant or breastfeeding
infections on the skin
broken, angry inflamed skin
light-sensitive medication or medical conditions
medications that make skin delicate and sensitive to injury
recent sun exposure or planned sun exposure up to 4 weeks after treatment
keloid scarring
How Does the treatment feel?
You will not need anaesthesia for this treatment. Most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable and liken it to a quick pinprick.
Is IPL Skin Rejuvenation safe?
The skin of some patients becomes quite red after treatment. Very rarely the skin may become lighter or darker, or small blisters may form. However, most patients experience little or no side effects and any skin reaction usually disappears within a few hours.
What should I expect after the treatment?
Redness and a slight warming sensation are normal after treatment. We will cool the skin to ease these symptoms. You may see a darkening of any pigmented spots before they flake off, leading to an evening of skin tone. Skin tightening should increase over the following months as new collagen is regenerates within the dermis. Some patients notice a slight swelling over the cheekbones, which may last for up to 72 hours.
How many treatments are necessary?
Treatments should be every four weeks; you may need up to 6 treatments for maximum results.
After this, we recommend top-up sessions to maintain the results.
How long does each treatment take?
A facial treatment usually takes about 30 – 45 minutes.
Alternative Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
At Cheshire Lasers, we offer a range of treatments for skin Rejuvenation. IPL Treatment is the treatment of choice if you have vessels or patches of pigmentation you want to target.
Other excellent skin rejuvenation options include:
Why do I need a Test Patch before my Laser / IPL treatment?
Test patches are carried out to determine the treatment parameters and to judge how your skin might react to a full treatment. A test patch is a small trial in an area with similar hair and skin to the treatment site and allows the practitioner to assess how well the light energy is being absorbed and whether the skin is responding as would be expected.
Clients are asked to make a note of any redness or swelling and how long it takes to reduce following the test patch, also whether or not the skin blisters or feels excessively hot and for how long.
I have had laser /IPL before so why do I need a test patch?
Every machine is different we need to test your response to our Lynton AQS Laser / IPL Machine.
Even if you have had a treatment before on the same machine some where else and even if you can tell us the exact settings used, we still need to test patch again. This is incase the machines are calibrated at a different intensity.
Not had a treatment with us for over a year?
If you have not had a treatment with us for over a year we are required to repeat the test patch. A repeat patch test costs £25. This is a requirement with our insurance in case your skin has changed and is not negotiable.
Pre-Treatment Laser / IPL Information:
The area to be treated should be free from make-up, perfume, deodorant and body or face creams. Be careful when using spray deodorant prior to treatment.
There should be no active or fake tan in the area to be treated.
Use of sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight is not allowed for at least a month prior to treatment and an SPF 30 or more must be used on the area between treatments. Suntans must be left to fade completely before treatment can start.
Fake tans must also be fully faded before treatment can commence.
We reserve the right to charge for any appointment booked but abandoned due to active sun-tan or fake tan.
A medical history is taken at consultation, but we rely on you to inform us of any changes to this. We need to know of any medication you are taking including those bought from a chemist or herbalist.
Make sure that you arrive in good time for your appointment; this will allow us to pre-cool the skin if this should be required.
Post-Treatment Laser / IPL Information:
In order to minimise skin heating and to reduce the likelihood of skin reactions, the treatment area may be cooled before, during and after the procedure. If the area still feels hot at home you can apply a cold flannel or cool pack. Do not allow ice packs or ice into direct contact with the skin.
Following treatment the area may appear red and raised and you may experience a tingling sensation. This is completely normal and should settle over the next few days.
Occasionally you may experience swelling or bruising and this can last anything from 1-2 days up to 1-2 weeks. If you experience swelling, it is usually worse one to two days following treatment. If it follows a treatment to a facial area, sleeping with your head raised on pillows will minimise its appearance. Cool packs will also help to reduce the swelling. If your skin is particularly sensitive and prone to histamine reactions, you may also wish to consider taking an anti-histamine medication.
Following treatments on the cheeks please note that it is very likely the area and the area around your eye (both above and below the eyes) may swell, particularly overnight as the body goes through the normal healing process. There may not be swelling after the patch test, however, as the treatment area is usually larger this may well happen after treatments. It is usually a good sign of the treatment working but can be rather alarming if you are not prepared. Sleeping with your head raised on pillows will minimise its appearance. Cool packs will also help to reduce the swelling. If your skin is particularly sensitive and prone to histamine reactions, you may also wish to consider taking an anti-histamine medication.
Laser / IPL After Care Information:
Make-up can be applied after several hours, if the skin is not sore or broken. However, we advise caution if the area is feeling sensitive. Remove make up carefully as rubbing the skin can cause irritation or infection. If the skin at the treatment area becomes broken, then make-up should be avoided.
Care should be taken to avoid trauma to the treated area for 4 or 5 days afterwards. Avoid strenuous activities, sauna and steam, excessively hot baths, massaging etc.
Wash and bathe as normal but take cool showers rather than hot baths. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed. Use an aloe vera gel or after sun cream to keep the area moisturised and the skin protected. If there is any discomfort, treat the area as you would sunburn.
Use a sunscreen (SPF 30+) and protect the area from sunlight as much as possible between treatments and for at least one month after treatment ends. Failure to do this can lead to sunburn and hyper-pigmentation of the treated area. (Most cases of changes in pigmentation occur when the treated area has been exposed to sunlight, or in people with darker skin types).
If blistering occurs keep the area clean and dry and allow to heal naturally. Do not use any lotions or creams on open skin as this may increase the risk of infection. DO NOT pick grazes or blisters – as this may increase the chance of a scar occurring. Once the skin has healed, a high protection sunscreen should be used daily for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes to the skin. Please contact the clinic as soon as possible for further advice and so that we can check it and advise if necessary.
Prepaid courses are popular as a discount is applied for paying for a course of treatments in advance. Not everyone can afford to pay for a course upfront and many people pay for treatments as they go at a non-discounted price.
Please read our terms and conditions for a prepaid IPL / Lasers courses you will be asked to sign a form at your consultation if you are happy with our terms and conditions and wish to purchase a prepaid course.
Laser and IPL Courses
Prepaid courses are non-transferable and are non-refundable.
Prepaid value cannot be exchanged for a different treatment.
Prepaid courses cannot be split or shared.
More than 48 hours cancellation notice must be given for each treatment otherwise you lose 50% of the value of the treatment. More than 72 hours notice must be given for appointments booked on Mondays as we are closed on Sundays.
Remaining treatments are only refundable for medical reasons. Any refund agreed is calculated by deducting the full list price of all treatments already taken, plus any charged for non-attendance or late cancellation, from the total price of the course of treatment. Free treatments given as part of a course have no refund value.
If you do not attend an appointment or you attend with a contraindication, e.g, an active tan or fake tan on the treatment area and cannot be treated you will lose this treatment in your course.
Treatments on a course must be completed within 12 months of purchase and cannot be carried forward, transferred, or refunded.
During the course and for 4 weeks after treatment, it is your responsibility to stay out of the sun and to avoid any tan on the treated area.
If you have not had a treatment for more than 6 months, you will need another test patch, for which you will be charged £25.
