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hemangiomas

Hemangiomas are a collection of large blood vessels that typically begin growing shortly after birth.  

hemangiomas

Image of a Doctor holding a toddler with Hemangiomas, a bright red birthmark that shows up at birth, New York, NY

Hemangiomas grow rapidly during the first several weeks and months of life, then begin to disappear over several years. They are most commonly found in twins and premature babies. Mature hemangiomas that have not resolved spontaneously in older children, teenagers and adults are excellent candidates for laser treatment.

Our New York City physicians have over thirty year’s experience in the treatment of hemangiomas and related vascular birthmarks.

What experience do the doctors at Laser and skin surgery center  of new york have?

The physicians at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York® are world leaders in the treatment of hemangiomas and other vascular malformations. The primary focus of our hemangioma treatments involves laser therapy, although we work collaboratively with surgical and medical specialists. Our physicians have developed many of the laser treatments for hemangiomas that are presently used across the world. We offer treatment in both the office setting and at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary for those patients requiring general anesthesia. Our center utilizes over 100 lasers, many of which are dedicated to the treatment of hemangiomas.

Image showing doctor playing with a toddler, held by her mother, seeking treatment for Hemangiomas in NYC, NY
Image of an infant having Hemangiomas around his upper eye lid.
Image of a child's arm filled with red birthmark, Hemangiomas
Image of a child's forehead with a red birthmark named, Hemangiomas, New York City, NY

Treatment Options for Hemangiomas

Our publication of the combined use of propranolol and pulsed dye laser treatment together showed faster resolution of the hemangiomas with a shorter course of propranolol and less rebound growth after discontinuation of oral medicine. This combined approach has become our standard treatment for many of the hemangiomas that have a deeper or thicker component.

We most commonly treat superficial hemangiomas in infants, children and in those adults where the hemangiomas have not resolved spontaneously. Treatment at our New York medical centers often begins early in infancy and will require multiple treatments. Visit pubmed.gov to learn more about infant hemangiomas treatment.

what devices are used to treat hemangiomas?

Hemangiomas are frequently treated through pulsed dye and vascular lasers.

We use these devices:

  • Excel V™ KTP
  • nd:YAG
  • Vbeam Perfecta™ Pulsed Dye Laser
  • Vbeam Prima®

Publications

Effect of General Anesthesia on Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities in Children Undergoing Treatment of Vascular Anomalies With Laser Surgery: A Retrospective Review

Dermatol Surg. 2016 Dec 26. doi: 10.1097

Laser treatment in the management of infantile hemangiomas and capillary vascular malformations 

Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2013 Mar: 16(1):51-4.

Retrospective study of the treatment of infantile hemangiomas using a combination of propranolol and pulsed dye laser

Dermatol Surg. 2013 Jun;39(6):923-33. 

Commentary of “Beneficial effects of early pulsed dye laser therapy in patients with infantile hemangiomas”

Dermatol Surg. 2012 Oct; 38(10):1739-40. 

Ablative Fractional Resurfacing for Involuted Hemangioma Residuum

Arch Dermatol. 2012 Nov; 148(11): 1294-8.

Infantile hemangiomas treated with a combination of propranolol and pulsed dye laser

Lasers Surg Med. 2012; 44(S24):3-4.

Glomuvenous Malformations (familial generalized multiple glomangiomas)

Dermatol Online J. 2011 Oct; 17(10):9. Review.

Letter regarding early laser treatment of periorbital infantile hemangiomas may work, but is it really the best treatment option?

Dermatol Surg. 2010; 36(9):1495-97.

Early laser treatment of periorbital infantile hemangiomas may work, but is it really the best treatment option?

Dermatol Surg. 2010 Sep; 36(9):1495-7. 

Treatment of Superficial Infantile Hemangiomas of the Eyelid USing the 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser

Dermatol Surg. 2010 May; 36(5):590-597. 

Outcomes of Childhood Hemangiomas Treated with the Pulsed-Dye Laser with Dynamic Cooling: A Retrospective Chart Analysis

Dermatol Surg. 2009 Dec; 35(12):1947-54.

Our approach to pediatric dermatologic laser surgery

Lasers Surg Med. 2005 Oct; 37(4):255-63.

Hemangiomas: evaluation and treatment

Dermatol Surg. 2001 May; 27(5):475-85.

Multimodal management of diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997 Dec; 37(6):1019-21.

Guidelines of care for hemangiomas of infancy

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997 Oct; 37(4):631-7.

The pulsed-dye laser for infantile hemangiomas

Plast Reconstr Surg. 1996 May; 97(6):1302-3.

Adverse effects associated with the 577 – and 585 – nanometer pulsed dye laser in the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions: a study of 500 patients

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995 Apr; 32(4):613-7.

Interferon alfa-2a therapy for extensive perianal and lower extremity hemangioma

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993 Jul; 29(1):98-9.

Pulsed dye laser treatment of vascular lesions in children

J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1993 Apr; 19(4):303-10.

Supraumbilical midabdominal raphe, sternal atresia, and hemangioma in an infant: response of hemangioma to laser and interferon alfa-2a

Pediatr Dermatol. 1993 Mar; 10(1):71-6.

Failure of the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser to prevent progression to deep hemangioma

Pediatr Dermatol. 1993 Mar; 10(1):77-80.

Capillary hemangiomas and treatment with the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser

Arch Dermatol. 1991 Feb; 127(2):202-5.

Porokeratosis of Mibelli with underlying hemangioma treated by the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser

Cutis. 1990 Nov; 46(5):410-2.

Real Patients Before and After photos

Excel V and Vbeam to treat Hemangioma

Excel V and Vbeam to treat Hemangioma

Disclaimer: Results may vary from patient to patient. Results are not guaranteed.

Hemangioma Treatment In The News

No results found.

hemangiomas

Questions and Answers

Q: What are Hemangiomas?

A: Hemangiomas are a collection of large blood vessels that typically begin shortly after birth.  These birthmarks grow rapidly during the first several weeks and months of life, then begin to disappear over several years.  Hemangiomas are most commonly found in twins and premature babies.   

Q: Should Hemangiomas Be Treated?

A: Hemangiomas can be treated to minimize the extent of their growth and to hasten the process of disappearance. Some hemangiomas can be problematic in the sense that they may be interfering with normal function or may have the potential to bleed. In many cases, it is advised to have hemangiomas undergo treatment to prevent short term and long term complications.

Q: What Are The Treatment Options?

A: Options for the treatment of hemangiomas include laser therapy, steroid therapy, surgical excision, and of course, watchful waiting.   

Q: What Does A Typical Treatment Plan Look Like?

A: Treatments in the office are performed with either topical anesthesia (EMLA or LMX), local anesthesia or none. We begin treatment in early infancy to facilitate the optimum response and outcome. Typically, multiple treatments are required and a complete cure is not always possible. Treatment intervals are usually at two-week intervals for infants but may vary based upon the variety of factors, including the location of the hemangioma and the age of the patient.

Q: When Is Laser Treatment Performed?

A: Laser treatments are generally performed during early infancy to prevent further growth. They can also be performed in later years to facilitate the disappearance of any hemangioma that has not resolved spontaneously. 

Q: Which Lasers are Used for this Purpose?

A: We generally prefer to use the V-Beam Perfecta or the V-Star laser in the treatment of hemangiomas.  Occasionally, we also use the Neodymium:YAG laser as well.   

Q: How Often Are Laser Treatment Performed?

A: During early infancy when hemangiomas are still growing, we prefer to perform treatments at two to three-week intervals to avoid re-growth between treatment sessions.  During later years when the hemangioma has stopped growing, treatments can be performed at one month or later intervals.  

Q: Is Anesthesia Required?

A: In most cases anesthesia is not required because of the small size of the hemangioma and the cooling devices utilized by the lasers to minimize discomfort.  On some occasions we will use topical anesthesia.  

Q: Is The Procedure Painful?

A: Generally the treatment sessions are very short and quick and the degree of discomfort is minimal.   

Q: Do You Accept Insurance For This Procedure?

A: Our highly experienced and dedicated team of physicians and nurses cater to the needs of hemangioma patients. Most insurance plans are accepted for treatment and our insurance staff works diligently to help our patients receive insurance coverage.

Q: What Does The Skin Look Like After Each Treatment?

A: Generally, there is bruising of the hemangioma that can last for seven to ten days.  On occasion, there can be some minor crusting which heals relatively quickly.  

Q: Who should Perform Laser Treatment of Hemangiomas?

A: Laser treatment of hemangiomas requires an understanding of the natural history of hemangiomas as well as the appropriate and safe use of the technology that is involved.  Our physicians are highly qualified and considered leaders in the field of laser treatment of hemangiomas.  We have been involved with the development of most of the laser systems that are utilized today and we publish extensively on this subject.  We also work very carefully and closely with the various different laser companies to help improve the treatments that we provide to our patients.

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