Spider veins are characterized as tiny, superficial veins that can occur in clusters, resembling a spider web. While the issue is considered cosmetic rather than medical, you may be advised to wear compression stockings or make lifestyle changes to address them.
Sclerotherapy or laser treatment may be recommended to reduce the appearance of spider veins. Learn who’s a candidate for laser, how treatments work and their benefits.
Laser Treatments for Spider Veins
Quick and non-invasive, laser energy is activated inside the damaged vein and heat applied to close it. Wavelength and pulse duration determine how deeply the laser passes through the skin. This process does not result in any damage to the internal tissue or exterior skin.
Laser energy breaks up the blood vessel and causes the veins to shrink. The body then absorbs the damaged veins and blood is redirected to other healthy veins.
Laser treatments are not ideal for all vein disorders. They are often recommended for more superficial cases like spider veins, rather than deeper varicose veins.
What to Expect During and After Laser Treatment
During the procedure, the laser will be placed directly on the skin. As the beam is activated, you may feel a minor sensation. Afterwards, you may experience some redness, swelling or inflammation that soon dissipates.
To decrease any swelling, apply ice packs or cooling cloths. During your recovery:
- Avoid applying makeup or lotion to the area where the laser was applied for at least 24 hours. Wait until the redness goes away to resume your normal beauty routine.
- Apply moisturizer to the area at least twice per day following your treatment.
- Protect the area from sun exposure for at least three weeks after treatment. It can increase your risk of developing dark spots, skin cancer and spider vein reoccurrence.
Potential Risks of Laser Vein Treatment
After undergoing a laser treatment for spider veins, you may experience:
- Pain and swelling
- Dark spots and skin discoloration
- Hyperpigmentation
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Crusting
- Scarring
- Ulceration
Who’s a Candidate for Laser Vein Treatments?
Patients may be steered toward laser therapy if they fear needles, haven’t had strong results with sclerotherapy or are allergic to the mild chemical solution used for sclerotherapy. You may also be a candidate if your veins are too small for injections.
Laser therapy is not for those who are pregnant, use certain medications, have tattoos near where the beams will be applied or with skin that’s not compatible with the laser. To determine if you’re a candidate, your medical history will be reviewed and you’ll undergo a physical exam. You may also need imaging to observe blood flow through the veins.
To decrease potential complications and improve results, avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least two weeks before the procedure. You also may be asked to temporarily stop aspirin and NSAID use to lessen bleeding risks.
Thinking about laser treatment? To learn more about spider vein removal and endovenous laser ablation, contact us today.