What’s the most common problem consulted in the vascular cosmetic area?
Without doubt, varicose veins in the legs represent over 90 per cent of the consultations we receive, in all their manifestations: from the small ramifications called telangiectasias, to the large dilations seen as lumps. Their importance lies in the fact that, in addition to being an aesthetic problem, they are the manifestation of a circulatory disorder that can lead to discomforts like pain, heaviness, swollen ankles, and so on.

What are the latest advances in vascular cosmetic treatments?
Each case receives a different treatment. In general, we consider that the larger varicose veins require surgical treatment. Notable progress has been made in this field, and nowadays operations can be carried out in outpatient mode, with incisions so small that they don’t require stitches and even without interfering in the patient’s occupational activity. The smaller varicose veins have classically been treated by means of the method called sclerotherapy, with acceptable results, but laser technology has made a great qualitative leap forward with the appearance of Vasculight treatment and the appreciably improved results it offers. In addition, it’s a truly non-invasive procedure, because it doesn’t require any kind of needles, catheters, chemical substances, and so on.

How does Vasculight work?
Vasculight is a laser with characteristics that make it ideal for treating small and medium-sized varicose veins. Its energy is captured selectively by a molecule present in red blood cells called haemoglobin: this energy is transformed into heat that eliminates the anti-aesthetic vein. This means that the neighbouring tissues, like the skin, are not affected by this energy and therefore are not injured, thus avoiding after-effects. In addition, the technique can reach deeper levels and treat veins of a larger size. Vasculight can also treat other injuries, like angiomas, certain types of blemishes in the skin, and can eliminate tattoos.

How does Vasculight treatment affect the patient?
It’s really comfortable for them. There are just a few flashes of light, followed immediately by a momentary sensation of heat in the zone being treated. The duration of the sessions is very variable, depending on the amount of varicose veins to be treated. The only reaction appreciated in the skin is a slight reddening that disappears in the following twenty-four or forty-eight hours. There’s no need to wear a bandage afterwards. In addition, the treatment doesn’t require any kind of prior preparation, and it doesn’t interfere in any way with the patient’s everyday activities. And it can be performed at any time of the year, because pigmentations are very infrequent, although they have to be avoided in very tanned skins.