It is possible to have a consultation only to gather information about the procedure, or follow it with the first treatment.

Your treatment will generally take 15-20 minutes. After any laser treatment, you need to hold ice over the area for a few 20 minutes. It is also a good idea to intermittently hold ice over the area during the evening after the procedure. Ice on the area is important in that it diminishes the amount of blistering.

The cost is based on the time it takes to carry out the treatment. All patients have an initial consultation, which attracts a fee of $80. Part of the consultation fee is rebatable through Medicare. A 15-20 minute treatment costs $250 to $350. Part of the treatment fee (about $100) can be rebatable through Medicare.

Follow up treatments are for between 15 and 30 minutes and cost $250 and $350 respectively. Medicare will provide a rebate on most treatments depending on the severity of the condition. You should check with the doctor to see whether a rebate will be applicable in your case.

This varies with the severity of the condition. The average number of treatments for facial capillaries is two to three.

Laser treatment for facial capillaries is very effective. Success rates are approximately 95%. Treatment for port wine birthmarks is also very effective.

It is unlikely that you will need any time off work, although if you are very much in the public eye, one or two days off may be advisable.

Immediately after treatment, the area will be red. Fine blistering will occur that night. The tiny blisters will become fine scale by day two to three. The amount of blistering depends on the length of treatment.

A laser produces a very bright light. The colour of this light is selected in order to be specifically absorbed by the target tissue. This is why different lasers are needed to treat different problems. When the light beam hits the target capillaries it causes the capillary to bond. The capillary will then disappear.

Rarely. Brown pigmentation can occur in the treated area, but this always goes away. The incidence is less than 0.01%. Scarring can occur, but again it is extremely rare.

Medicare will pay a rebate in cases where broken capillaries are a certain size. Rebates are determined by the doctor only. Private health funds do not cover laser treatments.

Laser treatment stings. Like everything, the amount of discomfort varies from patient to patient and depends on the area treated. Some patients prefer the treatment to be done under local anaesthetic. Please ask about this if you feel an anaesthetic cream would be helpful. Most patients, however prefer to apply an ice pack for a few minutes just before treatment.