Laser Vein Removal Treatment FAQs

Although the exact cause of spider veins is unknown, it is typically related to abnormal blood flow in the affected veins. Any condition or activity that puts pressure on leg veins (such as gaining weight and sitting or standing for long periods of time) can contribute to their development.

Spider veins also frequently appear during pregnancy. Other contributing factors include sustaining an injury in the affected area, taking medications that affect hormones, advanced age, and a family history of spider veins. Spider veins on the nose or face, which typically appear as unsightly red or pink clusters, may also be related to overexposure to the sun.

Spider veins are small vessels located close to the surface of the skin that generally pose no hazard to a patient’s health. Varicose veins are larger, abnormally swollen blood vessels that are often caused by a weakening in the vein wall.

These veins are often associated with health conditions like:

• Phlebitis (tender, inflamed veins)
• Thrombosis (blood clots)
• Venous stasis ulcers (open sores from fluid retention or inadequate tissue oxygenation)

In most cases, varicose veins should be assessed and treated by a vascular specialist.

Laser spider vein removal treatment is a non-invasive and virtually pain-free procedure designed to remove spider veins, capillaries, hemangiomas, and red vessels using a sophisticated laser. It can also be used to treat rosacea and facial flushing.

Lasers work by targeting the blood inside the vessel and selectively heating it using a concentrated beam of light. As this happens, the blood naturally begins to clot, and the vessel starts to reabsorb. Over time, the healing process is completed, and the appearance of the vein underneath the skin is reduced or eliminated without the risk of burns or blisters.

Laser treatments for spider veins and other conditions are a highly effective way to target only the unwanted discoloration. You may see results right away, or the vein may become slightly darker. This resolves quickly, leaving you with clearer, more uniform skin.

A pulse of laser light feels like a small pinch or slight sting similar to the snap of a rubber band against skin. The Sciton laser has a cool chilling plate to help reduce this effect, and no local anesthesia is required. Typically, the procedure is well tolerated. For people with very sensitive skin, a prescription topical (local) anesthetic can be provided.

We use FDA-approved medical lasers to provide safe and effective non-surgical vein removal. This procedure causes no skin peeling, and you can wear sunscreen and makeup immediately after your treatment.

Laser vein treatments are a fast and comfortable way to selectively target unwanted veins and redness that are close to the surface of the skin. The procedure is relatively quick, and no anesthesia is needed.

Treatment can even be completed during a lunch break, and you can return to work or your normal activities immediately after your appointment. You can also wear sunscreen and makeup right away.

At the Elizabeth Roche, MD MedSpa, we use the Sciton 1064 wavelength laser. This allows for the effective removal of redness without damage to the surrounding tissues or unwanted side effects.

Yes, laser vein treatments can be used anywhere on the body to reduce the appearance of spider veins, varicose veins, and unwanted redness.

Individuals of any age may be good candidates for laser vein removal. Most patients develop unsightly veins between the ages of 30 and 60, but sometimes these may appear before age 20. Female patients tend to have more prominent spider veins than male patients; however, treatment is equally effective for both.

In general, the best candidates for laser removal of spider veins:

• Want to improve their appearance
• Have superficial spider veins that will respond to laser treatment
• Are not taking Accutane, nor have taken it for the previous 18 months
• Do not have unusual scar formations, such as keloids
• Are well informed about the procedure
• Are physically healthy and psychologically stable
• Do not smoke
• Hold realistic expectations about the treatment outcome

Sclerotherapy is another type of treatment used to remove or reduce the appearance of unwanted veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosing solution directly into the vein, causing it to close up and disappear into the body within a matter of weeks. Eventually, the vein becomes barely noticeable or invisible.

Laser vein treatment is often more appealing to patients because the procedure does not require the use of needles or incisions. However, laser therapy works best when used to treat veins smaller than 3 mm. Sclerotherapy is not commonly used on the face. Laser vein treatments have been proved to be safe and effective for facial spider veins.

You may need to avoid certain medications 48-72 hours before your treatment, especially aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory medications that can thin the blood. During your consultation, let Dr. Roche know about all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and dietary supplements.

Additionally, tanned skin cannot be treated, and patients must not use any tanning or skin-darkening products for 6 weeks before treatment.

First, the veins to be treated are identified. Then, the Sciton 1064 wavelength laser is used to deliver pulses of light energy along the length of the blood vessel, with larger veins being treated first.

As the laser heats the blood inside the veins, the body’s natural healing mechanism then safely absorbs the clotted blood, and the veins disappear. As soon as your treatment is finished, you can reapply sunscreen and makeup.

The amount of time required for laser spider vein removal varies from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on the size of the area being treated and the severity of the condition we are treating.

At the Elizabeth Roche, M.D. MedSpa we mostly treat spider veins on the face. The duration of treatment time it takes, depends on how many we are treating.

The majority of the treated veins will be gone for good with one or two treatments. Some deep-lying or blue veins may require more treatments than smaller red veins.

However, if new veins appear, additional treatments may be needed, as one laser treatment  does not alter the normal effects of aging and cannot prevent the occurrence of new spider veins. We recommend your appointments be scheduled in three- to four-week intervals for the best results.

Recovery time following spider vein removal is generally fast and, in many cases, immediate. In some cases, redness and swelling of the treated area may occur, which should disappear within a few days. You may notice the veins becoming darker or more purple right after your procedure, but this will gradually fade within 5-10 days.

If you have any discomfort after the procedure, we recommend using  a cool compress  and arnica cream or gel to reduce swelling. Exact recovery time depends on the extent of the treatment and the patient’s individual healing capacity.

After your treatment, it’s important to avoid strong sunlight for at least 3-4 weeks. It is recommended that an SPF 30 be used on treated areas during this time.

Although laser removal of spider veins may not erase all imperfections in the skin, most patients are satisfied with the results. Generally, veins appear redder or darker for the first few weeks after your treatment. Over two to six weeks, these veins fade to reveal clearer skin.

After each laser vein therapy session, you will see a 70% to 80% improvement in the appearance of facial spider veins, and a 30% to 40% improvement in spider veins on your legs.

Since the administration of cosmetic lasers requires both medical expertise and artistic technique, it’s important to select a physician with demonstrated laser expertise.

Laser vein removal is safe and effective for almost all patients. However, some vessels are not suitable for laser treatment. Very large vessels and those over 3 mm in size cannot be treated using this method. If there are any areas of broken skin, the treatment should be delayed until the area has completely healed.

Laser vein removal is non-invasive and extremely safe. However, short-term hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or light blistering may occur in a few patients. This generally heals quickly with no long-lasting side effects.

If the treated area blisters following treatment, the blistered area should be kept clean and free of anything that may further irritate the skin in order for it  to heal naturally. It is important to call the office to inform us so that we can advise you what should be done. Avoid popping  blisters, as this could result in scarring. Laser treatment may also cause minor bruising that takes a week or so to resolve. Most often, patient recovery is immediate without any sequelae.

Serious medical complications from laser vein removal are rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified practitioner.

However, you may notice semi-permanent or permanent skin lightening or darkening following your treatment. Darkened skin can often be successfully treated with a skin lightening cream or another wavelength of laser that treats hyperpigmentation. Very rarely, heat from the laser may cause burns or injuries to the skin. To reduce risk, it’s essential to follow Dr. Roche’s instructions carefully, both before and after the procedure.