Spider veins are a condition that affects millions of men and women as a result of heredity, pregnancy and hormones. These affected veins appear on the leg as a raised, tangled and unattractive web under the surface of the skin. Women are most often affected by this condition and as a result may be embarrassed to wear shorts or show their legs.
While spider and varicose veins have been successfully treated for years through conventional methods such as stripping, ligation and sclerotherapy, these procedures often cause pain and other unwanted symptoms during and after treatment. Laser procedures offer patients more precise results through a minimally invasive procedure, which heats the vein and causes it to close, rather than removing it surgically.
Types of Laser Vein Treatment
There are several different laser procedures available for treating spider veins. The best procedure for you depends on your individual condition. Your doctor will decide which procedure to perform on you after performing a physical examination and going over your medical history and general health.
Laser vein treatment offers patients:
Candidates for Laser Vein Treatment
The ideal candidate for laser vein treatment is a patient who is in good overall health, does not smoke and has no blood diseases or problems with bleeding. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations regarding this procedure.
Laser Vein Treatment Procedure
Each treatment session takes less than 20 minutes to perform, and patients can return to work and other normal activities immediately afterward.
During the procedure you may experience a slight tingling sensation as the laser energy is delivered to the targeted vein.
Recovery and Results After Laser Vein Treatment
After laser vein treatment, patients may experience slight redness and bruising in the treated area as well as a slight bump on the skin. These side effects are usually mild and will go away on their own within a few days.
The results of this procedure are not visible right away and will appear gradually over the next few weeks. The treated veins will slowly develop scar tissue and begin to close, as blood flow is diverted to healthier veins. Follow up treatments may be necessary to maintain the desired results.