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What is a Port Wine
Stain (PWS)?
A Port Wine Stain is a vascular birthmark and is pink,
red or purple. The color of a PWS comes from blood within
small blood vessels in the skin. PWS may occur on any
part of the body and may be as small as a dime or cover
extensive areas of the body. PWS occur in all ethnic
backgrounds, and are slightly more common in girls than
boys.
What causes PWS?
It is not known exactly what causes Port Wine Stains.
They occur in approximately 3 out of every 1000 births.
They are not caused by any fault of the parents, nor can
they be prevented. Because parents have one child with
PWS does not mean that they are more likely to have a
second child with a PWS.
Are there medical
conditions associated with PWS?
Medical conditions may or may not accompany PWS. Some
that can occur include:
Although rare, PWS on the
face and upper eyelid can be associated with a condition
known as Sturge-Weber Syndrome, possibly linked to a
seizure disorder and mental condition.
PWS affecting the eyelids may also be associated with
glaucoma --- pressure in the eyeball that can lead to
blindness if not treated. A person with PWS around the
eyelids should consult with an ophthalmologist and have
regular checkups for glaucoma.
Many of these medical complications can be successfully
treated or prevented with the PhotoDerm.
How are PWS Treated?
This remarkable new treatment zaps blood vessels
associated with PWS with a high energy light source
similar to a laser, but a generation beyond. The
PhotoDerm VL produces a high energy flash of light that
passes harmlessly through normal light colored or
untanned skin. This light is absorbed by blood and is
converted into heat, destroying the abnormal blood
vessels which are then simply absorbed by the body.
The treatment uses color specific light absorption to
treat the unwanted red, pink and purple blood vessels
which make up the PWS. The hemoglobin (blood pigment)
with the vessels absorbs green and yellow light
specifically, so only the unwanted vessels are targeted
without damaging normal skin. The PhotoDerm does not emit
harmful radiation and can be used during pregnancy.
Treatments are performed in the office. Eyes are covered
with a protective shield or glasses while a test patch is
done on a small area to determine the ideal treatment
settings for your lesion.During the treatment, a cold gel
is placed on the skin and a glass prism placed over the
gel which transmits the pulse of light. Each pulse treats
an area about the size of a stick of "Trident"
chewing gum (5/16" x 1 1/16").
How does the PhotoDerm
differ from existing laser devices?
The PhotoDerm produces pulses of multi-colored light
which can be delivered through delicate skin tissues of
the legs without as much risk of scarring or blistering.
The treatment with the PhotoDerm is more effective and
safer than any other treatment device used to treat Port
Wine Stains.
How many treatments
would it take to see results?
Some PWS are completely removed in one treatment. Several
to many sessions may be required to eliminate more
extensive and stubborn areas. Results are immediately
apparent in some cases, gradual in others.There may be a
purple discoloration which will fade to show the final
result. Photographs are taken so that progress can be
monitored.
Does the PhotoDerm
treatment hurt?
A pulse from the PhotoDerm feels like a rubber band
snapping the skin. Anesthetic cream can be used prior to
the treatment if you would prefer. Most patients require
no medication for the treatment.
Are there any
restrictions after the treatment? What about side effects
or complications?
Normal activities may be resumed after treatment. The
treated area should be protected from sunlight and
tanning beds until the skin color has returned to normal.
Gentle cleansing of the skin and application of
Polysporin ointment should be used if any blistering,
crusting or scabbing occurs.
Treated areas may have temporary redness, welts, bruising
or an occasional blister. Occasionally, a sligh change in
pigmentation can occur on treated areas. Veins may turn
darker before they disappear. Scars are possible but
occur very rarely. Infections following treatment are
also rare and can almost always be prevented by following
the wound care instructions you are given at the end of
treatment.
Can all PWS be treated
with the PhotoDerm? Are there reasons not to have the
treatment?
Most PWS can be successfully treated, although PWS on the
trunk and extremities are more difficult to treat than
PWS on the face and sometimes improving only partially.
Darkly tanned skin or pigmented skin is not treated with
the PhotoDerm. It is not possible to remove a PWS from
black skin.
Will the PWS ever come
back after being treated?
Once in a while a PWS will partially return after
treatment, requiring periodic touch-ups every year or so.
How much does the
PhotoDerm treatment cost?
A test patch to determine the best and safest settings
for your skin is $75. Treatments are $10.00 per pulse,
with $150.00 minimum per treatment session (two pulses=
approximately one square inch). The cost is scheduled to
increase in Oct of 1997. Treatments started before that
date will be completed at the price effective when
treatment was begun.
Full payment is due at the time of each treatment and can
be made by cash, check, Visa or Mastercard.
Will my insurance plan
cover it?
Each insurance plan is different, but insurance
frequently provides at least partial reimbursement for
treatment for of Port Wine Stains.
How do I get started?
Call us to schedule and appointment so we can determine
if you are a candidate for the Photoderm treatment. If
you are at our main office, a test patch may be done
during the initial consultation. If we meet with you at a
satellite office, and determine that PhotoDerm VL could
work for your condition, you would then have a patch test
done at our Council Bluffs office, after which we would
schedule your treatment.
325-0980
(CB/Omaha)  Elsewhere 1-712-325-0980
The Physician’s Building at Jennie Edmundson Hospital
201 Ridge, Suite 301, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
For more information, email us
at questions@skinspecialist.com
For appointments: appointments@skinspecialist.com
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