Candela Corporation provided free “life-changing” Vbeam laser treatments to over 40 children and adults with birthmarks, port wine stains and other vascular related skin conditions to kick-off the 18th annual Vascular Birthmarks Foundation Conference in New York last week.
The treatments were performed by Dr Roy Geronemus, a leading cosmetic dermatologist and director at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, the day before the conference officially got underway.
Candela CEO Geoffrey Crouse said the company is committed to developing and enhancing innovative technological solutions that change lives.
“Our partnership with the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation and Dr Geronemus reflects this commitment.
“We were honoured to offer these pro-bono treatments with the gold standard Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) to continue our mission to improve patients’ quality of life.
“In addition, the recent FDA clearance of our newest and most advanced PDL, the Vbeam Prima, demonstrates our continued 30-year commitment to advancing the science and improving clinical results in vascular lesions.”
One in ten children are born with a vascular birthmark.
According to Crouse, the Vbeam PDL is considered the gold-standard for the treatment of port wine stains and vascular anomalies in infants, children and adults used by healthcare providers and close to 700 universities and hospitals around the world, the device is renowned for “life changing outcomes, high patient tolerability and a low incidence of side effects”.
“Vascular lesions, especially those on the face, have serious physical and psychological effects on patients,” said Dr Geronemus.
“I am honoured to be a part of the effort to provide patients with this life changing treatment. The Vbeam is without a doubt an incredibly safe and effective treatment for these conditions.”
The Vbeam PDL delivers an intense but gentle burst of light into selectively targeted areas of the skin where it is absorbed by specific blood vessels or melanin pigmented areas in the dermis depending on the condition being treated.
The treatment “is so safe that it has been successfully used since the 1980s for the treatment of port wine stain birthmarks in infants and young children”.
In addition, no anesthesia is required during the treatment as most patients only experience “a warming or tingling sensation during treatment”. Some patients do however experience redness or mild swelling immediately after the treatment but this usually goes away in a few hours. Occasionally patients also develop purpura, a laser bruise, which usually disappears in three to five days.
The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation conference featured educational sessions on the latest research and advancements in treatments for vascular birthmarks as well as workshops on makeup, psychotherapy, insurance issues and support.
“Living with a birthmark or other vascular formation can have significant consequences on a patient’s life. It’s crucial that we educate those who are impacted, as well as the physicians who treat these conditions, on the latest protocols available,” said Vascular Birthmarks Foundation president and founder Dr Linda Rozell-Shannon.