About Laser Vein Treatment
Spider and varicose veins can develop after childbirth or after taking certain medications, because of hormone changes, weight gain, or prolonged sitting or standing, or they may be an inherited family trait. Spider and varicose veins can be embarrassing—they make many people self-conscious about wearing sports clothes, shorts, or summer tops. And if you have spider veins on your face, even a good makeup concealer won’t always cover the veins completely.
Different Veins Require Different Treatment
Spider veins are cherry red in color and usually appear on the legs, sometimes on the arms, and occasionally on the face. They are thin and thread-like, usually 1-2 mm in diameter, and generally appear in a linear pattern, a branch-like pattern, or a spider pattern. Spider veins on the face, legs, arms, or body can usually be treated with lasers.
Laser Treatment
Spider veins can be treated with lasers, especially on the face, where the veins are too small and too close to the skin’s surface to be effectively collapsed with sclerotherapy. Lasers destroy the targeted veins without damaging surrounding tissues. Small spider veins may disappear immediately after treatment. Usually, 1 to 3 treatments are necessary. Treatment can be done once per month until desired results are achieved. Although laser treatment does not prevent new veins from forming, it is a very effective treatment that usually produces few, if any, side effects.
Laser Vein Removal Aftercare
- Cool the skin with cold air or cold compresses
- Avoid using hot water on the treated area for 24 hours
- Avoid strenuous activity (exercising, hot tubs, saunas, hot yoga, etc.) for 48 hours
- Do not rub the treated area
- Hydrate the skin regularly
- Use sun block – SPF 50 or greater. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or UV light