What is Laser Vein Removal?
Do you find yourself embarrassed to show off your legs or go out in public in a swimsuit? Are you wearing pants in the summer to keep your legs covered? You may be a candidate for Laser Vein removal!
Spider veins are thin, red blood vessels appearing alone or in a web-like pattern that can appear on the legs, feet, chest or face. While they are generally harmless, veins on the legs may cause an ache or burning sensation after long periods of standing or sitting. Risk factors for spider veins may include genetics, pregnancy, obesity, hormones, sun exposure, jobs that require hours of prolonged standing and advancing age.
Unsightly spider veins can cause significant self-esteem issues leading to public avoidance and fewer clothing choices. Unfortunately, there are not many options to improve their appearance or remove them without clinical intervention. Laser treatments are an excellent choice for spider vein removal which can be very effective with minimal downtime or pain.
How It Works
Laser or light energy is selectively absorbed by oxyhemoglobin which results in heating of the blood vessel. With the correct energy, the vein will be heated to a temperature that will cause it to collapse, break down and fade away. No incisions or needles are used. The treatment may be less effective than sclerotherapy (injections) but is certainly a nice option for people who do not like needles or have had unwanted side effects with sclerotherapy.
During Treatment
There are no pre-treatment guidelines to follow. However, many people find that dressing comfortably and wearing loose pants or shorts to be helpful the day of treatment. Your skin will be cleansed and prepped with a thin layer of ultrasound gel. The gel allows for gentle cooling of the skin as well as a brighter color of the vessel for the laser to identify. The clinician will position the laser handpiece above the skin and will hold a cooling glass handpiece gently on the skin to be treated. This will allow the laser beam to treat the vein through the glass while keeping the skin cool and comfortable. The laser light will pulse over the vein as the clinician traces the line or web. You will see the veins fade or change color immediately. Depending on the size of the area, the procedure usually lasts around 15 to 30 minutes but could take up to 1 hour if multiple vessels are treated.
After Treatment
You may notice the veins look darker, smaller, or even gone following treatment. The skin around the treated area will look slightly red and may have some mild swelling. It is not required to wear compression stockings or wraps after laser vein treatment although some people feel more comfortable with this. If the area feels hot after treatment, you will be treated with cold compresses or ice and may need to cool the area off and on for a few hours. Most people will require a series of laser treatments for best results which are scheduled 4-8 weeks apart. There will be an appearance of bruising or discoloration in the treated areas for several weeks with fading in 3-6 months in most cases*, however, they may not disappear completely. Occasionally, certain veins may need a series of treatments and new spider veins can develop in the same or different areas that could warrant additional treatments or maintenance.
If you are interested in learning more about Laser Vein Treatments, please schedule a complimentary consultation at Rejuvenation Clinic!