Removing port-wine stains Vienna
The IPL treatment against redness
Get rid of annoying redness!
Everything at a glance
The exact course of treatment will be discussed with Dr. Barbara Franz at your first session!
- Treatment duration: a few minutes | for good results, two to three sessions should usually be carried out at monthly intervals
- Anesthesia: none, the treatment is painless for the patient
- Sociability: 2-3 days
- Visibility of the results: a few days later
- Long-term durability of the results
Get rid of your port-wine stain in the long term!
Nevus flammeus, also known colloquially as port-wine stains, are red spots caused by dilated blood vessels in the skin. IPL treatment, i.e. treatment with intense pulsating light, is a proven method of eliminating these spots, with a single session being enough to significantly reduce their visibility.
What is a port-wine stain?
Port-wine stains are benign skin changes. These marks are usually already present before birth or become apparent during the child’s growth phases. Port-wine stains can become noticeable on various parts of the body, although they occur most frequently on the neck, face and forehead . Due to the frequent occurrence of port-wine stains on the neck, they are also known colloquially as stork bites .
Another colloquial term for port wine stain is port wine stain, as its irregular but sharply defined shape and coloring is reminiscent of spilled red wine.
Port-wine stains are caused by a vascular malformation, i.e. a proliferation of dilated capillaries in the skin. In the first few years of life, it is still possible for port-wine stains to disappear completely. If it is not treated, the port-wine stain becomes thinner over the years and enlarges as the body grows. In adolescents and adults, the area of a port-wine stain can also thicken and form nodules.
Nevus flammeus simplex
This type of port-wine stain is also known as a stork bite and occurs very frequently in newborns. It usually disappears again during the first few years of life. A stork bite is often located on the midline of the body, typically on the neck or face. It is noticeable by its pale pink color. The cause of the problem is usually a developmental delay in the area surrounding the blood vessels, as the nerve supply required to maintain their health is restricted.
Nevus flammeus
The classic port-wine stain – nevus flammeus – is generally less common. Without treatment, it does not disappear on its own and remains visible for a lifetime. In contrast to the stork bite, the nevus flammeus is usually larger and appears asymmetrically on one side of the body’s midline anywhere on the body.
What is the cause of a port-wine stain?
The exact cause of port-wine stains is not known, but they are thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is thought that the reason for the development of these marks is a vascular malformation in the skin that prevents normal blood circulation in the affected area. The reason for this malformation can be either an increase or a decrease in the nerve entrances at birth. Genetic components can also influence how strong and visible a port-wine stain becomes over time.
Does a port-wine stain need to be treated?
Port-wine stains do not normally need to be treated as they are benign skin changes. However, some patients want to reduce their visibility for aesthetic reasons. In particularly visible areas of the body, such as the face, the treatment of port-wine stains can be a wise decision for both cosmetic and psychological reasons. Unfortunately, children with obvious skin problems are often teased by their peers, which can be emotionally challenging. Therefore, it can make sense to start treatment as a child to avoid unpleasant situations later on.
Treatment of port-wine stains
Laser light has proven to be an effective treatment for port-wine stains. The active, targeted use of this therapy – known as selective photothermolysis – closes the vessels and effectively eliminates all signs of the malformation.
Removal of port-wine stains using laser therapy
In this case, IPL treatment is a proven method of removing port-wine stains, with a single session often being enough to significantly reduce their visibility. The procedure uses intense, pulsating light to constrict the dilated capillaries that cause the redness of the port-wine stains. This reduces their visibility and can prevent further enlargement and thickening of the lesion.
IPL treatments are suitable for both adults and children and have been shown to be safe and effective in treating various types of skin lesions such as port-wine stains. If you have concerns about your port-wine stain, it is important to consult a dermatology specialist who can help you decide if laser treatment is the right choice for your medical concern.
Book a medical consultation
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment of port-wine stains or other skin redness (e.g. rosacea) and my methods, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Please feel free to contact me by phone, e-mail or online appointment. Your health is important to me! I look forward to your inquiry!
Frequently asked questions about IPL laser treatment for port-wine stains
How does the port-wine stain treatment work?
The treatment begins with a detailed consultation with your dermatologist, during which the exact application of the laser is explained to you. Here you will also discuss the chances of success after the treatment as well as any risks and side effects. If you have any further questions about the treatment, these will also be clarified during the consultation.
After an exact diagnosis has been made and it has been clarified whether IPL laser treatment can bring the desired therapeutic success, the treatment is started.
The laser used to treat port-wine stains is particularly effective due to its red color absorption. The heat generated destroys capillaries and red blood cells so that the dilated vessels are obliterated by selective photothermolysis. During a session, several pulses are delivered to the area of the nevus flammeus, while an integrated cooling system leaves the healthy skin undamaged and ensures patient comfort during treatment.
After laser treatment, red to blue discoloration (capillary bleeding in the skin) can be seen in the lasered areas for around one to three days. These spots can be noticeable at first, but fade within two weeks.
