Leg veins are more resistant to laser treatment than facial veins because they are usually deeper, larger in diameter, and have different flow characteristics. Lasers are most effective for superficial, fine vessels and when used in conjunction with sclerotherapy. They also offer an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate injections or have been unresponsive to other treatment modalities. Pigmented Lesions Age spots are very responsive to pigment laser therapy. Occasionally, a second or third treatment is necessary to achieve an ideal result.
Freckles are also responsive to laser therapy.
While a patient's skin may darken during the treatment, it eventually fades. Results of laser treatment of melasma, an abnormal darkening of the skin, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, darkening of the skin as a result of injury, are generally disappointing. While deep melasma or mixed superficial and deep melasma may lighten with treatment, invariably pigmentation recurs with sun exposure. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation has shown temporary improvement and, in the occasional case, total lightening is observed. However, in many cases, the darkening of the skin is actually worsened by treatment.