Nd:YAG treatments were introduced to give a safe and effective solution to treatment of leg vessels between 0.1mm and 3mm in diameter.
the idea is to heat the vessel wall to 70 degrees C to destroy the protein in the vessel and let the body clear away the debris itself. Larger vessels take longer to clear
The 1064nm wavelength absorbs quite poorly in melanin skin color), hemoglobin and water, explaining the need for a high energy. However poor absorption in melanin, does allow a treatment to be carried out on darker skinned, or more tanned individuals.
Nd:YAG treatment of telangiectasias and reticular vessels uses high energy, in a very localised spot. Treatment of a vessel is similar to spot welding. The entire length of the vessel is not treated; instead the laser beam is fired at set intervals along the vessel.