Spider veins, also known medically as telangiectasia or venulectasias, are tiny red, blue or purple thread-like veins near the surface of the skin that often take on the appearance of a spider's web. These perpetually dilated and visible veins, caused by increased pressure to the veins, can develop on any part of the body, including the face, but most often appear on the thighs, calves, ankles or buttocks. The gold standard treatment for spider veins is laser therapy.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the procedure.
About Laser Treatment for Spider Veins
What happens during laser therapy?
Laser vein treatment usually takes less than an hour. The procedure uses a focused beam of light to target the vein that is selected for treatment, and because the beam is focused it is careful not to affect nearby skin, tissue and veins. As the laser heats up the vein is destroyed, then, over a period of four to six weeks, the vein is reabsorbed by the body and disappears.
What type of laser is used to treat spider veins?
The most common laser used to treat spider veins is the Nd: YAG laser system. It is a hand-held device and also has a cooling tip to minimize discomfort during the therapy.
How does the laser work?
The Nd: YAG laser pierces the skin and penetrates the superficial blood vessel. The heat generated from the laser coagulates the blood inside the vessel, causing it to collapse and seal. Over the next few weeks, the vessel will disappear and all the blood will be removed by the body's scavenging cells. The newer laser treatments allow the delivery of a precise dosage of energy to each blood vessel without injuring any nearby structures.
Is laser therapy painful?
You may feel a slight tingling sensation as the laser fires. Our laser device has a cooling system that prevents the tip of the laser from getting too hot and resulting in burns or damage to the area.
What preparations should I take before treatment?
There are no major preparations required before the laser treatment, but you will want to avoid sun exposure for at least 3-4 weeks, and also avoid aspirin, blood thinner medications, and alcohol for at least a week prior to the procedure.
As for the day of treatment, avoid all creams, lotions and moisturizers on the area that is going to be treated.
How do I know if I am a candidate for laser vein treatment?
All individuals are evaluated prior to laser therapy. Spider veins do not cause symptoms and are of a cosmetic concern only. For those who have symptoms, further investigation is done to ensure that they do not have varicose veins. Laser therapy is most effective for the very small spider veins or thread veins, and not used to treat large varicose veins.
What is the time between treatments?
It is generally recommended that the treatments be spaced six to eight weeks apart. If new veins appear, additional treatments are required for optimum results.
What are potential complications of laser therapy?
The risks associated with laser vein therapy are minimal. Your eyes will be shielded during the treatments. Our office uses state-of-the-art laser equipment, thus the treatments are low risk and relatively pain-free.
How many treatments are needed?
Depending on the size and number of veins, two to six treatments will be needed. The treatments are usually done 6-8 weeks apart. Those with a tendency towards vascular problems will most likely require additional treatments.
How long does it take for the results to become evident?
The results of laser treatment for spider veins are not immediate. After the laser therapy, the vessels underneath the skin will gradually change from a dark blue to light red color, then eventually disappearing in two to six weeks.
Most patients report a high degree of satisfaction with the procedure and relief at no longer having to hide unsightly veins. The treated areas are noticeably clearer and in most cases the skin continues to improve with each successive treatment. The majority of spider veins will disappear within two to four weeks, and in some cases even longer.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the procedure.
About Laser Treatment for Spider Veins
What happens during laser therapy?
Laser vein treatment usually takes less than an hour. The procedure uses a focused beam of light to target the vein that is selected for treatment, and because the beam is focused it is careful not to affect nearby skin, tissue and veins. As the laser heats up the vein is destroyed, then, over a period of four to six weeks, the vein is reabsorbed by the body and disappears.
What type of laser is used to treat spider veins?
The most common laser used to treat spider veins is the Nd: YAG laser system. It is a hand-held device and also has a cooling tip to minimize discomfort during the therapy.
How does the laser work?
The Nd: YAG laser pierces the skin and penetrates the superficial blood vessel. The heat generated from the laser coagulates the blood inside the vessel, causing it to collapse and seal. Over the next few weeks, the vessel will disappear and all the blood will be removed by the body's scavenging cells. The newer laser treatments allow the delivery of a precise dosage of energy to each blood vessel without injuring any nearby structures.
Is laser therapy painful?
You may feel a slight tingling sensation as the laser fires. Our laser device has a cooling system that prevents the tip of the laser from getting too hot and resulting in burns or damage to the area.
What preparations should I take before treatment?
There are no major preparations required before the laser treatment, but you will want to avoid sun exposure for at least 3-4 weeks, and also avoid aspirin, blood thinner medications, and alcohol for at least a week prior to the procedure.
As for the day of treatment, avoid all creams, lotions and moisturizers on the area that is going to be treated.
How do I know if I am a candidate for laser vein treatment?
All individuals are evaluated prior to laser therapy. Spider veins do not cause symptoms and are of a cosmetic concern only. For those who have symptoms, further investigation is done to ensure that they do not have varicose veins. Laser therapy is most effective for the very small spider veins or thread veins, and not used to treat large varicose veins.
What is the time between treatments?
It is generally recommended that the treatments be spaced six to eight weeks apart. If new veins appear, additional treatments are required for optimum results.
What are potential complications of laser therapy?
The risks associated with laser vein therapy are minimal. Your eyes will be shielded during the treatments. Our office uses state-of-the-art laser equipment, thus the treatments are low risk and relatively pain-free.
How many treatments are needed?
Depending on the size and number of veins, two to six treatments will be needed. The treatments are usually done 6-8 weeks apart. Those with a tendency towards vascular problems will most likely require additional treatments.
How long does it take for the results to become evident?
The results of laser treatment for spider veins are not immediate. After the laser therapy, the vessels underneath the skin will gradually change from a dark blue to light red color, then eventually disappearing in two to six weeks.
Most patients report a high degree of satisfaction with the procedure and relief at no longer having to hide unsightly veins. The treated areas are noticeably clearer and in most cases the skin continues to improve with each successive treatment. The majority of spider veins will disappear within two to four weeks, and in some cases even longer.