If you've been looking for a way to get rid of stubborn facial redness or sun spots, you've probably come across the excel v+ laser during your search. It's one of those treatments that dermatologists seem to rave about lately, and for good reason. Unlike some older lasers that felt like a gamble or left you looking like you'd been in a fight for a week, this newer iteration is all about precision and getting results without turning your life upside down.
It's honestly pretty cool how far skin tech has come. Not too long ago, if you had a port-wine stain or just really bad rosacea, your options were pretty limited or involved a lot of downtime. Now, we've got tools that can target specific colors in the skin—like the red in blood vessels or the brown in age spots—without messing with the surrounding tissue.
What exactly does the excel v+ laser do?
At its core, the excel v+ laser is a workhorse for vascular and pigment issues. If it's red, purple, or brown and shouldn't be on your face or body, this laser is likely the tool for the job. It's the upgraded version of the original Excel V, which was already a gold standard in clinics. The "plus" version brings more power, more spot sizes, and a much more refined delivery system.
Most people seek it out for things like rosacea, diffuse redness (that "always flushed" look), spider veins around the nose, and those annoying little cherry angiomas—the tiny red bumps that seem to pop up out of nowhere as we get older. But it's not just for red stuff. It's also incredibly effective at wiping out sun damage, freckles, and those flat brown spots that make your skin look uneven.
The beauty of it is the versatility. A technician can switch between different settings to treat a deep blue leg vein one minute and then pivot to a fine red capillary on the cheek the next. It's like having a whole toolbox in one single machine.
The magic behind the two wavelengths
Without getting too "science-heavy," the reason the excel v+ laser works so well is that it uses two different wavelengths: the 532 nm and the 1064 nm. You don't really need to memorize those numbers, but here's why they matter for your skin.
The 532 nm wavelength is basically a magnet for pigment and superficial redness. It's great for the top layers of the skin where sun damage lives. Then you have the 1064 nm wavelength, which goes deeper. This is the one they use for those deeper blue veins or for something called "Laser Genesis."
Wait, what's Laser Genesis? It's a specific mode on this machine that gently heats the dermis. It doesn't snap or sting; it just feels like warm sunlight. It's used to build collagen, shrink pores, and give your skin a general "glow up." A lot of people get this done before big events because it makes the skin look plump and healthy without any redness or peeling.
Does the treatment actually hurt?
This is the question everyone asks first, right? Nobody wants to sit in a chair and get zapped if it's going to be agonizing. The honest answer is that it's not exactly a spa massage, but it's totally manageable.
The excel v+ laser has a built-in cooling system called CoolView. It uses a sapphire cooling tip that stays in constant contact with your skin while the laser is firing. This helps numb the area and protects the surface of your skin from getting too hot. Most people describe the sensation as a quick "rubber band snap." It's a bit spicy for a split second, and then it's over.
If you're doing a full-face treatment for redness, the whole thing takes maybe 15 to 20 minutes. It's fast enough that you don't really have time to get too uncomfortable. For single spots or small veins, it's literally a few seconds of work.
What to expect after your session
One of the best things about this specific laser is the lack of "scary" downtime. That said, you're not going to walk out looking photoshopped immediately.
Right after the treatment, you'll probably look a bit flushed, like you just finished a really intense workout. If you're treating brown spots, they might actually get darker for a few days—almost like coffee grounds sitting on your skin—before they eventually flake off. Don't pick at them! Let them do their thing, and they'll reveal clear skin underneath.
If you're treating veins or heavy redness, you might experience some swelling. This is pretty common around the eye area or the cheeks. It usually peaks the morning after and goes down within 48 hours. I always tell people to sleep with an extra pillow to keep their head elevated and maybe skip the salty ramen for dinner the night of the treatment.
The best part? You can usually put makeup on right away. Unlike some resurfacing lasers that leave your skin "raw," the excel v+ laser keeps the surface intact. You just need to be diligent about sunscreen. Honestly, you should be doing that anyway, but it's extra important when your skin is recovering from a laser session.
Why this version is a step up
You might wonder why you should look specifically for the "plus" version rather than the older models or even something like IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). While IPL is great for general maintenance, the excel v+ laser is much more targeted.
Think of IPL like a flashlight—it hits everything with a broad spectrum of light. The excel v+ is more like a sniper rifle. It hits the exact target it's supposed to without "bleeding" energy into the surrounding skin. This means you usually need fewer sessions to see a real difference. Where IPL might take five or six rounds to clear up redness, this laser can often do it in two or three.
The "plus" version also introduced the Green Genesys handpiece. This is a game-changer for people with fine lines and generalized redness. It's faster and covers more ground, making the treatment more efficient than it used to be.
Is it worth the investment?
Let's talk money and results. Laser treatments aren't exactly cheap, but when you compare the cost of a few sessions to the amount of money spent on "color-correcting" primers, heavy foundations, and expensive creams that don't actually move the needle, the math starts to make sense.
Most people see a visible difference after just one session, especially with things like broken capillaries. For more chronic conditions like rosacea, you might need a series of three treatments spaced about a month apart. Once you get to your "goal skin," you might only need a touch-up once a year to keep things looking fresh.
It's also a huge confidence booster. There's something really nice about being able to leave the house without feeling like you have to hide your face under layers of concealer. If you've spent years feeling self-conscious about a red nose or sun spots on your forehead, this is probably one of the most effective ways to actually fix the problem rather than just covering it up.
Final thoughts on the experience
If you're tired of DIY skin fixes that don't work, the excel v+ laser is definitely worth a conversation with a pro. It's a reliable, high-tech way to clean up your complexion without the drama of long recovery times.
Just make sure you go to someone who knows what they're doing. Even the best machine in the world is only as good as the person operating it. A skilled derm or nurse will know exactly which settings to use for your specific skin tone and concerns, ensuring you get the best results without any hiccups.
At the end of the day, our skin takes a lot of hits from the sun, the environment, and just plain old genetics. It's pretty amazing that we have the technology now to hit the "undo" button on some of that damage. Whether you're dealing with a few annoying spots or a lifetime of redness, this laser is a solid path toward feeling more comfortable in your own skin.