Port Wine Stains
The London Cosmetic Clinic in Knightsbridge, London offers a variety of specialised Laser and SWT/I2PL vascular and skin treatments. We use the Ellipse Nordlys System – the most versatile and effective platform system on the market.
A port wine stain is a persistent dark red to purple congenital vascular malformation, which is a superficial, noncancerous growth that forms due to an abnormal collection of blood vessels. In a simpler form, a red or purple birthmark.
Port wine stains occur in about 3 out of 1000 people. Usually present from birth, the port wine stain occurs as a birthmark that generally grows on the face but can appear anywhere on the body. They persist throughout life and the area of skin directly affected grows in proportion to general growth. Port wines stains affect both male and females equally and have found not to be hereditary.
Short, safe bursts of light are directed at the skin. These may be visible Intense Pulsed Light (called I2PL or SWT technology by Ellipse) or from a laser, depending on the type of Port Wine Stain you want treated. The system filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood in your problem vessels. The light is converted to heat, which destroys the protein in the wall of the vessels, causing the vessels to gradually disappear after treatment. To ensure the best light transmission, a thin layer of gel (like that used in ultrasound examinations) is applied to your skin before treatment.
The Treatment at a glance
from 15 min
Duration
N/A
Anesthetic
N/A
Down Time
2-4 weeks
Time to See Results
Repeat between 4-6 weeks.
Treatment Lasts
frequently asked questions
What causes a Port Wine Stain?
The most tentative explanation for the development of a Port Wine Stain is the lack of or absence of surrounding nerve impulses regulating blood flow throughout the capillary network. As a result the blood vessels and capillaries are unable to constrict and remain permanently dilated allowing blood to stagnate in the affected area.
What happens if I leave it untreated?
In some cases, If left untreated, a Port Wine Stain can results in both physical and psychological trauma.
Physical: due to the increased tissue mass as a port wine stain/affected patient ages as well as increased vascular nodule development, the affected PWS is more susceptible to bleeding or haemorrhaging and facial features can be distorted.
Psychological: if the PWS is on the face or other highly visible part of the body, its presence can also cause emotional and social problems for the affected patient.
How does Ellipse treatment work?
Short, safe bursts of light are directed at the skin. These may be visible Intense Pulsed Light (called I2PL technology by Ellipse) or from a laser, depending on the type of Port Wine Stain you want treated. The system filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood in your problem vessels. The light is converted to heat, which destroys the protein in the wall of the vessels, causing the vessels to gradually disappear after treatment. To ensure the best light transmission, a thin layer of gel (like that used in ultrasound examinations) is applied to your skin before treatment.
How long does an Ellipse treatment take?
The treatment time depends on the area to be covered and the number of distinct vessels to be treated. A single session typically lasts 15-30 minutes.
Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?
- It is, important to avoid tanning (sun, solarium or self-tanning products) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effective and less comfortable.
- It is also a good idea to avoid smoking in the 4 hours prior to treatment. Generally, no special care is necessary after treatment, but people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying a cold compress (a cold damp cloth) to the area immediately after treatment or from using an ointment prescribed by the doctor.
- After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area.
- Use sun protection (minimum SPF 30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.
How many Ellipse treatments do I need?
The number of treatments depends on location and number of the vessels to be treated. Generally it ranges between 4-10 treatments.
Does the treatment hurt?
No anaesthetics are required, and many patients describe the treatment as being like a snap from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle sunburn.
What is the treatment price?
We offer complimentary consultations and patch tests to our patients. Prices are always confirmed prior to your treatments. Generally prices start from £150.
How can I be sure Ellipse is safe and effective?
Clinical trials documenting Ellipse’s safety and effectiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the launch of the treatments, and these were published in respected, referenced medical journals. You are welcome to view these scientific papers on the Ellipse website at www.ellipse.com.
Why have Treatments at The London Cosmetic Clinic?
1. SPECIALIST DOCTORS: You will be treated by one of the UK’s leading cosmetic doctors who are highly experienced in the Hyperhidrosis procedure
2. SERVICE & CARE: We pride ourselves on patient care and experience, therefore, our experienced team will ensure that your visit and treatment is as informative, comfortable and professional as possible
3. CLINIC LOCATION: The treatment is carried out at our clinic in the heart of vibrant Oxford street and Bond street. We are based a 5 minute walk from Oxford sreet and Bond street tube stations.
4. HIGH PATIENT SATISFACTION: Our patients are very happy with their results resulting in many returning to have additional areas. We also have many that recommend friends and family to the clinic
5. PREMIUM MEDICATION : We use only premium and FDA approved products for the treatment
6. We are CARE QUALITY COMMISSION (CQC) approved & regulated clinic, this ensures that we carried out high standard treatments, hygiene and care to our patients.
Hi, my name is Jean-Claude. I’ve been coming to this clinic for nearly a year now and I must say I’m more, more, more than satisfied. I’ve been having Kiloid for nearly 5 or 6 years and I’ve been everywhere to cure it and I’ve never had someone to help me. Since I’ve come in here, I see a big, big improvement. And to be honest with you, it’s not the medication they’re doing me, but it’s the people here. They are so professional and they’re so nice. They’ve been talking to me, make me feel like I’m okay already. And they make me bring me a new feel of life because there was a point I wanted to kill myself. because of the killer eat and I lost hope and since I came here I mean everything changed my life changed I’m happy to leave and I don’t know it’s amazing thank you.
Jean Claude
Hi, my name is Raleigh and I’ve been a patient with the London cosmetic clinic for just coming up to here now It’s an amazing, you know place to come to if you need to have any treatment done It’s a lovely lovely place the customer service all they have fantastic You know constantly checking up on you if you’re not able to come into clinic when you come in and the CTU you know the aftercare you get is lovely I recommend this clinic to anyone that needs to get treatment done and trust me you’ll be treated very well.
Raleigh
Incredibly happy with my gummy smile fix. It was my first time getting a cosmetic procedure and the LCC made me feel incredibly comfortable. Thank-you to Dr Johnson who walked me through the procedure ( which was incredibly fast and pain free!) and a massive thank you to Rahena! Your customer service was exceptional and made me feel really assured and comfortable. Will definitely be recommending the LCC to everyone. Incredibly professional and well priced clinic. I can already see a difference in my smile!
Sahiba Majeed
I’m so pleased I found The London Cosmetic Clinic. Dr Johnson was incredibly informative and professional and I’ve seen a difference after only one treatment! Big thank you to Rahena too who was super helpful and helped put my fears to ease!
Zoe E
Dr. Salinda Johnson and her team are excellent and highly accomplished. She maintains the highest standards in aesthetic treatments and techniques, and consequently I trust her completely and know that she will always offer the best advice, and provide the most appropriate treatments. Her expertise is admirable. The team are friendly, efficient and helpful and always put patients at ease Practitioners of Aesthetic Dermatology In London abound , but The London Cosmetic Clinic has the expertise and patient care which puts it top of the list
Marlene Robinson
