Excel V Vascular
Excel V+ combines two precision wavelengths
Overview
Visible redness, small facial veins, and tiny red spots known as cherry angiomas are extremely common — yet they can be difficult to conceal and often worsen with age or sun exposure. At Derma Reading, we use the Excel V+ laser by Cutera — one of the world’s most advanced vascular lasers — to safely and effectively treat a wide range of red and vascular lesions.
Excel V+ combines two precision wavelengths, 532 nm (KTP) and 1064 nm (Nd:YAG), allowing your dermatologist to target both superficial and deeper vessels with exceptional accuracy. The laser energy is selectively absorbed by haemoglobin within the blood vessel, heating and collapsing the vessel wall while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed. Over time, the treated vessels fade and are naturally reabsorbed by the body, restoring a clearer, more even complexion.
This dual-wavelength capability means the system can treat everything from fine facial veins and diffuse redness to deeper vascular conditions such as leg veins and cherry angiomas. Treatments are quick, highly effective, and suitable for both men and women seeking noticeable improvement in skin tone and confidence.
What is the benefit of Excel V Vascular treatment?
The Excel V+ laser offers numerous advantages for patients looking to reduce visible redness or vascular marks.
The Excel V+ laser offers numerous advantages for patients looking to reduce visible redness or vascular marks. One of its greatest strengths is precision. Each wavelength targets specific blood vessels while sparing healthy skin, meaning treatment is accurate and efficient. The integrated CoolView™ sapphire contact cooling technology provides constant temperature control, ensuring comfort and safety even when treating sensitive areas such as the nose and cheeks.
Another key benefit is versatility. Excel V+ can treat more than twenty vascular and pigmented concerns, including cherry angiomas, facial telangiectasia, rosacea, spider veins, poikiloderma, and port-wine stains. Because it can switch between superficial and deeper targets, it’s a single system capable of addressing multiple concerns in one session.
Patients also appreciate its speed and minimal downtime. Most treatments take less than 30 minutes, and many people return immediately to work or social activities. Slight redness or warmth may occur afterwards but usually resolves within hours. The results are progressive: vessels fade gradually, and skin tone becomes clearer and more uniform over several weeks.
Unlike older vascular lasers, Excel V+ is safe across a wide range of skin tones. Its built-in monitoring and precision cooling allow clinicians at Derma Reading to customise each treatment to individual needs, delivering effective outcomes with minimal risk.
What is the process of Excel V Vascular treatment?
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation at our Reading clinic. During this visit, one of our dermatologists assesses your skin type, identifies the vascular concerns to be treated, and explains what you can expect from the procedure. Clinical photographs may be taken to monitor progress.
On the day of treatment, the skin is gently cleansed, and you’ll be provided with protective eyewear. The dermatologist then selects the appropriate wavelength and parameters based on the depth and size of your vessels. The Excel V+ handpiece is applied to the treatment area, delivering controlled pulses of laser energy.
Most patients describe the sensation as a mild tingling or quick elastic snap against the skin. Thanks to the integrated cooling, discomfort is brief and minimal, and anaesthetic cream is rarely needed. Depending on the number and size of vessels being treated, a session may last between 15 and 45 minutes.
After treatment, the area may look slightly flushed or feel warm, but this usually subsides within a few hours. Some vessels may appear darker or bruised for a few days before fading. Your dermatologist will provide aftercare instructions and discuss whether follow-up sessions are needed. Most patients achieve excellent results after one to three sessions.
Who is Excel V Vascular suitable for?
Excel V+ laser therapy is suitable for anyone troubled by visible redness or unwanted vascular marks. Ideal candidates include people with cherry angiomas, broken facial capillaries, rosacea-related flushing, spider veins, or post-acne redness. It’s equally effective on the face, neck, chest, and body.
Patients often seek treatment because redness or thread veins make them appear flushed or older than they feel. Many have tried topical creams without success, as topical agents cannot reach the underlying vessels. The laser provides a precise, lasting solution that restores a more balanced complexion.
However, Excel V+ may not be suitable for everyone. Those with recent tanning, active infections, or certain photosensitising medications should postpone treatment until the skin is stable. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals are advised to wait, and anyone prone to keloid scars or with extremely dark skin should be assessed carefully before proceeding.
At Derma Reading, each patient undergoes a detailed consultation with a dermatologist who will review medical history, examine the lesions, and recommend a personalised treatment plan. Safety is always our top priority.
What are the risks of Excel V Vascular treatment?
The most common are temporary redness, mild swelling, or a sensation of heat immediately after treatment.
Excel V+ laser treatment is considered safe when performed by experienced practitioners, but as with all medical procedures, there are potential side effects. The most common are temporary redness, mild swelling, or a sensation of heat immediately after treatment. These reactions are short-lived and typically settle within a day.
In some cases, minor bruising, scabbing, or light flaking may appear as vessels collapse. This is part of the healing process and resolves naturally within a week. Rarely, patients may experience temporary pigmentation changes — slightly lighter or darker patches of skin — which usually normalise over time.
More serious complications, such as scarring or infection, are exceptionally rare, particularly when treatment is carried out under dermatological supervision. Our clinicians at Derma Reading follow strict laser safety protocols, using conservative energy levels and test patches when appropriate to minimise risk.
What is the recovery time and outcome for Excel V Vascular treatment?
Recovery from Excel V+ laser treatment is straightforward and predictable. Immediately afterwards, the skin may appear pink or feel warm, similar to a mild sunburn, but this subsides quickly. Cool compresses or aloe-based gels can soothe the area if needed.
Patients are advised to avoid hot showers, saunas, vigorous exercise, and alcohol for 24 hours to prevent vessel dilation. Sun protection is essential: daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher will protect the skin and reduce the chance of pigment change. Make-up can generally be applied the next day.
Most patients see visible improvement after the first session, though the full effect develops gradually as treated vessels fade. Smaller capillaries may disappear almost immediately, while deeper ones can take several weeks to clear. Depending on the severity of redness or number of lesions, a course of up to three sessions may be recommended.
The results are long-lasting. Once a vessel has been eliminated, it does not typically return, although new ones may form over time due to genetics, sun exposure, or hormonal factors. Maintaining healthy skin habits and occasional top-up treatments can help preserve your results for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients experience only mild discomfort during treatment. The integrated cooling tip keeps the skin comfortable, and any heat sensation fades quickly once the session ends.
Many patients notice a difference within days, especially for small facial veins or cherry angiomas. The skin continues to improve over several weeks as vessels are reabsorbed naturally.
This depends on the condition being treated and its severity. Some small lesions may resolve after one session, while more extensive redness or networks of veins may require two to three treatments for optimal results.
Excel V+ is one of the safest vascular lasers available for a wide range of skin tones. However, patients with very dark skin should be assessed individually to ensure the settings are appropriate.
Once individual vessels are removed, they do not return. However, new vessels can appear with age, sun damage, or hormonal changes. Periodic maintenance treatments can help sustain your results.
Yes. Excel V+ is widely regarded as one of the most effective lasers for managing rosacea. It reduces visible capillaries and overall redness, helping to calm flushing and improve skin tone.
At Derma Reading, all vascular laser procedures are performed or overseen by consultant dermatologists with extensive experience in laser and vascular medicine. Our clinic is CQC-registered, fully equipped with the latest Excel V+ platform, and adheres to the highest standards of safety and patient care.
We specialise in personalised treatments — adjusting settings for your unique skin tone, condition, and comfort — to ensure natural-looking, long-lasting results. From initial consultation through follow-up care, our goal is to help you achieve clearer, healthier skin with confidence.
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