SPIDER VEINS LASER TREATMENTS
SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT OPTIONS USING COSMETIC LASERS
Today, the treatment of spider veins is being done more and more with laser surgery. As laser technology has become more sophisticated, and with results frequently being more superior than with other methods, lasers have quickly become the state-of-the-art treatment for spider veins.
There are many lasers being used in the treatment of spider veins. The V-Beam, the Cool-Touch and the Yag lasers, to name just a few, have the characteristics necessary in the treatment of spider veins, because they provide the wavelength needed to go after the pigment in the blood, the hemoglobin molecule, which is the chromophore or target. The laser energy hitting the target, causes the blood to clot in the blood vessels being treated. Once the blood clots in these tiny blood vessels, it blocks the flow of blood through that vessel, causing it to collapse and eventually to be reabsorbed and disposed of by the immune system.
Laser spider vein treatments are best for very small diameter veins, and those that tend to be lighter and redder in color.
Laser treatment of small hemangiomas, which are a benign, small masses of blood vessels bunched together, works in a similar manner as that described in the treatment of spider veins.
How many treatments are needed?
When using laser surgery treatments, the number of sessions vary, but usually it is safe to expect from 1-4 sessions, depending upon the size and number of spider veins that need removal. As mentioned earlier, the lasers work best in the smaller diameter spider veins, those that are red, and also in fair-skin complexions.
Some physicians combine different spider vein removal treatments, for example, lasers with Vitamin K creams, with excellent results.
What can I expect during the treatment?
With the use of laser surgery for the treatment of spider veins, the procedure may be more painful overall than with traditional sclerotherapy, and some practioners apply anesthetic creams prior to the therapy. Post-treatments, there may be areas of black and blue marks (ecchymosis) which may be reduced with the use of Vitamin K creams, and sweeling and inflammation which may last for a couple of days post-treatment. Some practioners reccomend the use of compression stockings after laser treatments but each physician will provide you with all the necessary post-treatment information.
What are the possible complications?
With laser surgery treatments for spider vein removal, there may be sweling and inflammation of the area treated, local skin burns, and the possibility of pigmentary (color) changes in the form of hypo/hyperpigmentation.
