Brown spots or solar lentigos form on the skin due to sun damage. Lasers can remove melanin pigment in these lesions to improve skin discoloration. This is accomplished by using specific wavelengths of light that are preferentially absorbed by melanin. The light gets converted into heat when it is absorbed, causing the brown spots to scab and darken. Over 7-10 days, the scabs of pigment will gradually slough off. The new skin will be lighter or pink in color. It is important to wear a high SPF broad- spectrum sunscreen to prevent damage to the new, healthier skin.
Enlarged blood vessels can be similarly treated by laser, using different wavelengths of light that are preferentially absorbed by hemoglobin, which is what give blood its red color. The blood is coagulated by the laser energy and the blood vessel is damaged and gradually reabsorbs over 1-2 weeks. Multiple treatments are typically needed to remove larger, deeper blood vessels. Blood vessels around the nose are characteristically more stubborn, requiring several laser sessions.
A healing ointment or gel is applied to the areas 3-4 times a day. It is important to wear high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen during and after healing for best results. Sun damage causes blood vessels to enlarge and damages the collagen lining the blood vessel walls.