Nd:YAG laser technology  

What does Nd:YAG mean?

Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet; Nd:Y₃Al₅ O₁₂) is a crystal that is used as a lasing medium for solid-state lasers.

How does an Nd:YAG laser work?

A laser is an electronic-optical device that emits coherent, monochromatic light. The Ellipse Nd:YAG laser, with a wavelength of 1064 nm, is optically pumped using a flash lamp.
This permits the Ellipse Nd:YAG to draw on our established knowledge of controlling the pulse shape.
To clear leg veins and other vascular lesions, the vessels must be constricted. A 1064 nm wavelength Nd:YAG laser sends energy into the blood and vessel walls, where it is absorbed by blood. Red blood cells are heated, causing met-haemoglobin formation and greater absorption. This causes microclotting and heating of the vessel wall, leading to complete or partial collapse. The constricted vessel then degenerates, and the visible leg veins disappear from the surface of the skin.

How does an Nd:YAG laser work on vascular lesions?

Treating vascular conditions in general is based on the principle of selective photothermolysis performed with a single pulse.
A condition of good results is that the Pulse Time is chosen noting the thermal relaxation time for the actual vessel thickness.
The ideal immediate response to treatment with vascular laser is coagulation of the vessel with no other apparent effect. This effect can be observed in the form of bluish or greyish discolouration visible on the skin surface. In leg veins, blanching or disappearance of the vessel may occur.

Why is the Nd:YAG laser better than I²PL for treatment of certain vascular lesions such as leg veins?

Leg veins and reticular vessels are normally deep, which is why Nd:YAG in most cases respond better than IPL.
I²PL is good for treatment of very superficial small vessels or blanching after sclerotherapy. Note that lasers or light can only be used 1 month post sclerotherapy.