Olmsted Medical Center offers nonsurgical, minimally invasive solutions for men and women looking to reduce visible veins on their legs or face, including standard laser therapy, endovenous laser treatment and radiofrequency ablation.
Sclerotherapy uses FDA-approved solutions to cause spider veins to collapse and close off, eventually dissipating away gradually over time.
Preparation
Spider veins are dilations of blood vessels that appear as visible networks of red and blue discolorations on the surface of skin, typically on legs or face. While spider veins don’t pose serious medical concerns, many find them unsightly and embarrassing; luckily sclerotherapy and laser vein removal techniques can reduce their appearance for smoother, more confident skin.
Dependent upon the procedure chosen, certain preparation steps may need to be taken prior to your appointment. This is particularly important if opting for laser treatment as heat from the light can cause skin irritation. You should refrain from tanning or sun exposure two weeks before getting the procedure and temporarily stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin in order to minimize potential bleeding complications during this procedure.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing when attending your treatment to make it easier for the provider to access the area on your legs or feet that needs treating. Also avoid any form of makeup as this could absorb laser energy and cause skin blistering or overheating.
Before your treatment begins, the area will be cleaned and a cooling gel applied to protect your skin from the laser’s heat. Next, your doctor will use a handheld device to apply a laser directly onto the affected area – you may experience some minor tingling or warming sensation during this time but this should be tolerable; ultimately the laser heats blood vessels in this region, closing them down and helping your spider veins fade over time.
Laser vein therapy is an ideal treatment option for mild to moderate spider veins on the legs or face, since it is very effective and safe for most skin types and tones. Unfortunately, pregnant women or those who are taking certain medications that interfere with laser effectiveness may not qualify as candidates.
Procedure
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to unwanted spider veins, working by heating the blood within them until they collapse and fade away. Since heat does not damage outer layers of skin, laser treatment is considered noninvasive and safe for all skin types and colors; however, please be aware that all laser procedures must be carried out by licensed medical providers as it has the potential for damaging deeper structures beneath.
At the start of any laser vein treatment session, your skin will be cleansed and prepped with antibacterial soap before beginning. Makeup should not be worn during treatment as this could absorb laser energy and result in overheating or blistering of the skin. Keeping cool by wearing loose clothing also plays a crucial role.
Medical providers use Nd: YAG lasers to penetrate the surface of affected blood vessels and target their energy directly at them, so as to heat and destroy their interior tissue while leaving the outer skin unaffected. Once damaged blood vessels have been destroyed by laser treatment, their destruction will eventually be absorbed back by your body’s natural scavenging processes and will reabsorbed back into circulation as normal.
Laser treatment is one of the most efficient means of eliminating spider veins, particularly when combined with sclerotherapy. Furthermore, it is one of the safest approaches as it does not involve chemicals or needles – ideal for patients who dislike needles used in traditional treatments such as sclerotherapy or have too small veins for injection.
If you’re seeking a safe, noninvasive method of eliminating spider veins, contact the experts at Sullivan Dermatology immediately. We specialize in cosmetic skin treatments to make our patients feel more confident while showing off their skin, including sclerotherapy and laser hair removal for facial and leg hair removal. Proudly serving South Floridians since 2006 with skin they love!
Recovery
Laser treatments for spider veins provide quick results in terms of recovery. Some redness and purple discoloration may appear for several weeks after laser treatment, however this will fade as your body absorbs and eliminates treated veins through natural means. It is important to follow all post-treatment recommendations of your physician as well as wear compression stockings if suggested.
Spider veins are dilated blood vessels that often appear on the face and legs. Although not serious medical concerns, spider veins may make you self-conscious and cause unsightly appearances. Their development remains unknown; it’s thought to be caused by weak valves within vein walls as well as genetic predisposition – or occupations in which people spend a great deal of time standing may contribute as well.
Laser treatment for spider veins uses laser energy beams to target blood vessels, heating their walls and forcing them to close or dissolve altogether. It’s less invasive and painful than alternative procedures like sclerotherapy or vein stripping, making this treatment option the clear winner for treating these conditions.
Laser eye surgery is performed as an outpatient process and does not require downtime for recovery. Typically performed at a physician’s office with local anesthesia or light sedative administered for added comfort during the process. If pregnant, taking certain medications, or have tattoos in an area where we will apply the laser beam beam it is important that we know beforehand so we can determine whether it will be safe.
After your treatment, it is advisable to avoid taking hot baths or exposure to direct sunlight for at least 24 hours after. Furthermore, it may help if you take it easy on the day of your procedure rather than engaging in rigorous physical activity – this will reduce swelling and help avoid blood clot formation in treated veins.
Some spider veins require multiple treatment sessions; during your private consultation we will recommend the appropriate course of treatment based on your specific circumstances.
Results
Spider veins are an often unsightly condition that manifests as visible red and blue discolorations on the skin’s surface. While not considered serious medical conditions, spider veins can still cause significant discomfort and embarrassment for some individuals; thankfully they can be safely and effectively eliminated through laser treatment in-office.
Laser technology that is used for laser hair removal can also be employed to eliminate spider veins. When directed directly at a blood vessel, its heat causes it to collapse and close off completely. While this process takes several weeks for complete healing to occur, over time these damaged vessels will eventually fade from view.
For optimal results, two to six treatments should be completed and spaced four to six weeks apart. You should notice immediate improvements upon completing one session; they will continue to progress as additional sessions are completed.
Laser vein removal treatments often employ cooling aids in order to minimize discomfort or swelling that may arise as a result of the procedure. While most patients can return immediately to normal daily activities following treatment, it is advisable that strenuous activity or exposure to direct sunlight be avoided for 24 hours post-procedure.
After only one or two sessions of treatment, blood vessels may gradually transition from being dark blue in hue to being lighter red before eventually dissipating completely. Some individuals will require multiple sessions before seeing results; others may only require one or two.
Sclerotherapy may also provide an alternative solution for varicose and spider veins, by injecting a solution containing sclerosing agents into the affected area to irritate and scar blood vessel walls so they collapse under their own weight and are eventually destroyed by body’s natural processes. While painful, uncomfortable, and lengthy injections can be an option.
Microburst laser treatment offers another non-invasive option for treating spider veins, using an injectable probe and 4MHz of electrical energy pulsed through it to heat and coagulate blood within the vein causing it to collapse and seal shut.
