Targeting haemoglobin, not skin
The VBeam laser emits light at a wavelength (typically around 595 nm) that is selectively absorbed by oxyhaemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of blood. Selective photothermolysis. When this light is absorbed, it is converted into heat within the blood vessel. This heat causes:
• coagulation of the vessel
• contraction of its walls
• eventual collapse and reabsorption by the body
Importantly, the surrounding skin absorbs significantly less of this energy, allowing the treatment to remain highly targeted.
Why pulsed delivery matters
Unlike continuous lasers, VBeam delivers energy in pulses. This allows time for surrounding tissue to cool between bursts, reducing unintended thermal spread and improving safety. Modern pulsed dye lasers also incorporate longer pulse durations, allowing treatment of deeper or larger vessels while minimising purpura (bruising) associated with earlier devices. The result is a system that can be finely tuned:
• to vessel size
• to depth
• to skin response
Depth and vascular specificity
The wavelength used by pulsed dye lasers allows penetration to approximately 1–1.2 mm into the dermis — the level at which many superficial vessels associated with redness and rosacea sit. This makes VBeam particularly effective for:
• diffuse erythema
• telangiectasia (visible thread veins)
• inflammatory vascular responses
A biological outcome, not an immediate effect
Following treatment, the affected vessels do not disappear instantly. Instead, they undergo a process:
• thermal coagulation
• breakdown
• gradual clearance through the body’s lymphatic system
This explains why improvement continues over time rather than appearing immediately.
Position within laser medicine
Pulsed dye lasers have been used for decades in dermatology and remain one of the most established treatments for vascular conditions. They are considered a standard of care for rosacea-related redness and visible vessels, particularly where topical treatments are insufficient.