Laser treatment for age spots 

Here at Bristol Laser Centre we offer laser treatment for age spots on your hands, face, and body.

Age spots are flat patches of brown pigmentation. They usually fade well with laser treatment but more than one treatment may be required.

It is important to check that any brown lesions or patches of skin are benign before any laser treatment can start. Because it may be some time before we can see you, we advise you to see your GP or dermatologist first to check your lesion has no suspicious features that may mean a different treatment is needed.

What does treatment involve?

We use a Qswitched NdYAG laser to treat age spots. 2 or 3 treatments may be needed to get the maximum amount of fading. Sometimes age spots come back after a few years and need further laser treatment.

You will need to look after your skin carefully for 1-2 weeks after each treatment. You should also use a high factor sunblock on the area after treatment to help the spot fade and reduce the risk of it coming back. Our specialist will advise you how to look after your skin.

What are the risks of laser treatment?

The risk of scarring from treatment with the Qswitched NdYAG laser is very low.

Occasionally the treatment can cause the natural pigment of your skin to decrease or increase, leaving a paler or darker mark where the treatment has been. This usually returns to normal but can take a long time to do so.

The risk of side-effects is higher if you have a suntan when treated so you should protect the area from the sun and wear sun block before and during the course of treatment.

Laser treatment may not be suitable for people with very dark skin because of the increased risk of side-effects.

The risks of treatment will be full discussed with you at your consultation.

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for age spots is not routinely funded on the NHS. In severe or exceptional conditions the Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider this. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP.

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach.

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation you will discuss your specific needs. We may then offer a test patch to show how well you may respond to the treatment.

Age spot laser treatment sessions start from £150 per session.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2025. Review due April 2028. NBT003787

Laser treatment for hair removal

At Bristol Laser Centre we offer laser hair removal for both men and women. Areas that can be treated include the face, neck, underarms, back, shoulders, chest, breasts, legs, and bikini area.

There are many ways to remove unwanted hair, but laser hair is quick and effective with long-lasting results. Many people who have unwanted facial hair problems find their confidence and quality of life improve when they no longer have to worry about removing their hair every day.

What type of laser is used? 

The type of laser used depends on your skin type.

We have an Alexandrite laser which is very good for controlling dark hair on fair skin, and the reduction in hair is often permanent.

We also have a long pulsed NdYag laser which is safe to use on darker skin. It is most effective on coarse, dark hair, but isn’t as good on fine hair.

Laser treatment does not work on white or blonde hair.

What does the treatment involve? 

Most people need 4-6 treatment sessions as an initial course to give the best results. Many people then have top-up treatments once or twice a year to keep the hair under good control.

You need to look after your skin carefully after each treatment, but any redness usually settles down in a day or two.

It is very important that your skin is as pale as possible for treatment. You should wear a high factor sunblock on the area before and during the course of treatment, and should not use sun beds or fake tans. If you have a sun tan we may need to delay your next treatment.

You can continue to shave or cut the hair between treatments, but should not wax, pluck, or use depilatory (hair removal) creams.

What are the risks? 

The risk of scarring is very low. There is also a low risk of skin pigment changes after treatment. This may appear as a light or dark patch of skin which is usually temporary but can occasionally be permanent.

The risk of side-effects is higher if you have naturally dark skin or if you have treatment when you have a suntan.

The benefits and risks of treatment will be fully discussed with you at your consultation.

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for hair removal is not routinely funded on the NHS. In severe or exceptional conditions the Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider this. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP.

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach.

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation you will discuss your specific needs. We may then offer a test patch to show how well you may respond to the treatment

Hair removal laser treatments with an experienced doctor or nurse start from £70 per session.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published March 2025. Review due March 2028. NBT002015

Here at Bristol Laser Centre we offer laser treatment as a way or reducing spots and redness from acne. Acne is very common in adults and teenagers. Nearly everyone has had acne at some point in their life.

Who can have laser treatment for acne?

Laser treatment works best for people with mild to moderate acne. It is especially suitable for people who have already tried the usual treatments like creams and antibiotics with little or no success.

Pulsed dye laser treatment can help to reduce acne spots but it does not work for everyone. It can also help to fade red marks left behind by acne spots but it will not remove pits or craters in the skin's surface.

Laser treatment is not suitable for severe, cystic acne which is causing scarring. If you have severe acne you should see your GP or dermatologist to discuss medication.

What does treatment involve?

We use a Cynergy laser to treat acne. Most people have 2-3 laser treatment sessions about 3-4 weeks apart. Most people start to notice the results after the first or second treatment.

The benefits of laser treatment may wear off after a few months and top-up treatment may be needed.

Aftercare of your skin is very simple and any redness usually settles in a day or two. Our specialist will advise you on how to look after your skin.

What are the risks of treatment?

Laser treatment for acne has a very low risk of side-effects. The risk of scarring is very low. 

If the laser is used to treat red patches it can occasionally cause the normal skin pigment to increase or decrease, leaving a dark or pale mark where the treatment has been. This usually returns to normal but can take some time to do so. 

Side-effects are more common if your skin is tanned when treated so you should protect the area from sun and use sun block before and during the course of treatment. 

Laser treatment may not be suitable for people with very dark skin because of the increased risk of side-effects.

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for acne is not routinely funded on the NHS. In severe or exceptional conditions the Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider this. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP. 

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach. 

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation you will discuss your specific needs. We may then offer a test patch to show how well you may respond to the treatment.

Acne laser treatment sessions start from £250 per session.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2025. Review due April 2028. NBT003786

What are spider naevi?

Spider naevi is the name for small clumps of blood vessels which appear on the surface of the skin. They are described as ‘spiders’ because of their appearance. 

Spider naevi are very common and are usually seen in the upper body, face, neck, upper chest, and arms.

Laser treatment of spider naevi

A pulsed dye laser is usually used for the treatment of spider naevi. The laser delivers a pulse of light to the blood vessels causing them to seal up and fade away. 

Laser treatment of spider naevi is highly effective and the risk of scarring is very low.

What does treatment involve?

An initial consultation is always needed, and the first treatment session can usually be done straight after this. A second session may be needed about 8 weeks later. 

The laser may cause some bruising in the treated areas for a week after treatment; during this time you should avoid contact sports and swimming. You may need to wear a high factor sunblock and avoid excessive sun exposure for the whole course of treatment. 

Our specialist will advise you on how to look after your skin.

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for spider naevi is not routinely funded on the NHS. In severe or exceptional conditions the Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider this. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP.

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach.

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation you will discuss your specific needs.

Laser treatment sessions start from £150 per session for one or two spider naevi.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2025. Review due April 2028. NBT003785

What is rosacea? 

Rosacea is a very common skin condition. People with rosacea flush easily and often develop redness, threadveins, and spots on their cheeks, nose, and forehead. It often starts around the age of 30 and can come and go for several years. 

Laser treatment of rosacea

Treatment with a vascular laser is usually helpful for reducing redness and thread veins associated with rosacea but it may not have much effect on spots or pustules. Spots are usually best treated by antibiotics or topical creams from your GP or dermatologist.

The laser delivers a powerful beam of light to the blood vessels causing them to seal up and fade away. We have a pulsed dye laser and a NdYAG laser. We will discuss which technique may be most suitable for you at your consultation.

What does treatment involve?

The first step is an initial consultation, after which we may offer you a patch test. This is to find out how well your skin will respond to the laser treatment. If the patch test is successful you can start to have regular sessions.

Most people get the best results in 2-4 treatments. The length of each session and how many you need varies depending on the severity of the condition.

The laser may cause some bruising in the treated areas for a few days after treatment. You will need to avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of days and look after your skin carefully.

You may need to wear a high factor sunblock and avoid excessive sun exposure for the whole course of treatment.

Our specialist will advise you on how to look after your skin.

What are the risks of treatment?

The risk of scarring from the vascular laser is very low.

The treatment can occasionally cause the normal pigment of the skin to decrease or increase, leaving a pale or dark mark where the treatment has been. This usually returns to normal but can take a long time.

Side-effects are more likely if the skin is tanned when treated so you should protect the area from the sun and wear sun block before and during the course of treatment.

Laser treatment may not be suitable for people with very dark skin because of the increased risk of side-effects.

The risks of treatment will be fully discussed with you at your consultation.

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for rosacea is not routinely funded on the NHS. In severe or exceptional conditions the Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider this. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP.

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach.

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation you will discuss your specific needs. We may then offer a test patch to show how well you may respond to the treatment

Patch tests cost £150, and rosacea laser treatment sessions start from £250 per session.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2025. Review due April 2028. NBT003784

What is a threadvein?

Threadveins are very small veins in the skin itself. They look like thin red or blue lines in the skin. They don’t cause any symptoms but are visible so you may dislike their appearance. Threadveins are extremely common. They may be associated with rosacea or previous sun exposure.

Laser treatment of threadveins

Laser treatment is a safe and effective way of treating facial redness and threadveins by shutting down the blood vessels with minimal effect on the surrounding skin.

How successful is laser treatment?

Facial threadveins and redness usually respond well to laser treatment with our vascular laser. We have the option of a pulse dye laser or long-pulsed NdYAG laser depending on your individual needs.

You may need several treatment sessions to get the best results.

What happens after treatment?

Treatment with the pulsed dye laser leaves purple bruising after treatment for about a week. After treatment with the long-pulsed NdYAG laser the skin may also be a little sore, red, and some people get some crusting on the treated area for a few days.

You will need to look after your skin carefully for two to three weeks after each appointment. You may also need to wear a high factor sunblock on the treated area for the whole course of treatment. You will be given written information about how to look after your skin. 

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for facial threadveins is not routinely funded on the NHS. The Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider funding for patients with unusually severe conditions or exceptional circumstances. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP.

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach.

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation we will discuss your specific needs.

Facial threadvein laser treatments start from £150 per session.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published March 2025. Review due March 2028. NBT002017

Brown birthmarks can be light or dark brown in colour and occur anywhere on the body. They are sometimes present at birth and sometimes appear during the first year of life. Some brown birthmarks are flat and some develop a thickened surface and become hairy as the child gets older. Brown birthmarks are usually due to an increased number of pigment producing cells in the skin.

Treatment for brown birthmarks depends on the size and type of the birthmark and the area of the body that is affected. Some birthmarks are suitable for surgical excision, which will completely remove the birthmark but will leave a scar. If you are interested in surgical treatment you will need to see a plastic surgeon. Your GP may be able to advise you further.

Some birthmarks are suitable for laser treatment to fade the brown pigment.

We use the Qswitched Nd:YAG laser, which can result in good fading of some brown birthmarks and rarely leaves a scar. It is particularly useful for flat brown birthmarks that are not suitable for surgical excision. Multiple treatments are required to get as much fading as possible and results are variable.

An initial consultation is always required to assess your birthmark and discuss your specific needs.

There is no routine NHS funding for laser treatment but patients with large disfiguring facial birthmarks can be considered for NHS funding. Please discuss this with your GP who may be able to apply to the Exceptional Funding Panel on your behalf. A referral from your GP or hospital specialist, with funding approval, is required for all NHS patients.

If you are not eligible for NHS funding you can self-fund your laser treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. An initial consultation costs £120. Brown birthmark treatment sessions start from £150 per session.

>> Contact Bristol Laser Centre

What is a portwine birthmark?

A portwine birthmark is a red, pink, or purple birthmark made up of layers of blood vessels. It is the blood flowing through these blood vessels that causes the colour.

Laser treatment of portwine birthmarks

Laser treatment is a safe and effective way of fading portwine birthmarks. Laser treatment uses a narrow beam of light that is absorbed by the red colour in the blood vessels. This shuts the vessels down and makes the birthmark lighter in colour. 

The laser used for this type of birthmark is a pulsed dye laser.

How successful is laser treatment?

Most portwine birthmarks fade with laser treatment, but they are rarely completely removed. Multiple treatments are usually needed to get as much fading as possible. 

Occasionally these marks do not respond at all to laser treatment. In some people the fading is only temporary and the colour can return in time. Further treatment may then be required.

How can I prepare for treatment?

It is very important that your skin is as pale as possible before treatment. You should not have a suntan or use sunbeds, false tan, or “holiday skin” moisturisers. You should protect the area from the sun by using a high factor sun cream or keeping the area covered. 

Some medications and herbal remedies can make your skin more sensitive to lasers. Please bring a list of your medications to your consultation and tell us if your medication changes.

What happens after treatment?

The pulsed dye laser leaves purple bruises over the treated area which usually last about a week. Your skin may feel hot and sore but this does not last long. You won’t need to do much aftercare. 

You will be given written instructions on how to care for the treated area.

What are the possible side-effects?

The risk of scarring is low. Laser treatment can occasionally cause the normal skin pigment to increase or decrease, causing a pale or dark mark where the treatment has been. This usually returns to normal but can take a long time. 

Side-effects are more common if the skin is tanned when treated.

Laser treatment may not be suitable for people with very dark skin because of the increased risk of side-effects. The benefits and risks of treatment will be fully discussed at your consultation.

Treatment for children

Children under 18 requiring treatment for portwine birthmarks are funded by NHS England. Your GP or dermatologist can refer you to Bristol Children’s Hospital where the paediatric laser service is based.

Funding for laser treatment

Laser treatment for adults with birthmarks is not routinely funded on the NHS. The Exceptional Funding Panel in your area may consider funding for patients with large facial birthmarks. If you think you may be eligible, discuss this with your GP. 

If you cannot get NHS funding you can self-fund your consultation and treatment at Bristol Laser Centre. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach. 

An initial consultation with a specialist doctor is always required. This costs £120. During the initial consultation you will discuss your specific needs. We may then offer a test patch to show how well you may respond to the treatment. 

Portwine birthmark laser treatments start from £150 per session.

How do I book in? 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation, please phone us on 0117 414 1212.

Or fill in our online form: Contact Bristol Laser Centre

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published March 2025. Review due March 2028. NBT002016

Can I have laser treatment if I have a suntan?

Can I have laser treatment while pregnant or breast-feeding?

Can I have laser treatment while taking medication?

I have dark skin. Does this make a difference?

Does laser treatment hurt?

NHS Treatment

A referral from your GP or hospital doctor is required for all NHS patients.

There is no routine funding for laser treatment, except for children with birthmarks and a few exceptions such as patients with burns scarring. If you wish to be considered for NHS treatment, please see your GP to discuss whether you might be eligible.

In most cases your GP will have to apply on your behalf to the Exceptional Funding Panel in your local area. Consideration may be given to patients with large facial birthmarks, medical problems such as open wounds, bleeding lesions or other unusually severe conditions. 

Self-funded Treatment

If you are not eligible for NHS funding, you can choose to self-fund your laser treatment. An initial appointment at the Bristol Laser Centre with a specialist doctor costs £120. We offer a sensitive, personal, honest approach to your laser treatment needs.

All laser treatments at the Bristol Laser Centre are performed by doctors and nurses who have received specialist training in skin laser treatment.

A referral is not needed for self-funding patients over 16 years of age. Patients seeking self-funded treatment can contact Bristol Laser Centre or phone us directly on 0117 4141212 to arrange an appointment.

In some circumstances we may request information from your GP, for example if you have any medical history that may influence laser treatment.

We require a referral letter for all children under 16 years old.

>> Contact Bristol Laser Centre