Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small red or blue blood vessels that can appear on the legs, thighs, and face. They are a cosmetic concern but are similar to varicose veins, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Both men and women can develop spider and varicose veins and may seek treatment to reduce the appearance of these veins. The gold standard of treatment for these veins is laser vein removal. This treatment has been in use for over 30 years and is a fast, effective, and easy way for us to treat these superficial veins. The laser light is set to a wavelength used to target the pigmentation of the blood, and heats the vein to destroy it. Laser vein removal does not damage tissue around the area, and the destroyed vein is absorbed into the body. The results of laser vein removal are seen over several weeks, even months.
Patients are evaluated to determine if they are appropriate candidates for treatment. An examination, as well as a thorough medical history, is completed to ensure patients are healthy enough to undergo laser therapy. Spider veins are best treated with laser therapy, while varicose veins may be better treated with sclerotherapy. Determining which concern patients have is essential for deciding on the most effective solution.
The following treatments are used for leg/spider veins:
- Sciton 1064 YAG
- LightSheer Duet Laser
- VeinGogh
- Sclerotherapy
- Sciton BBL
- Sciton EVLA
Before the treatment, the skin is prepared with a thorough cleaning to remove make-up, oils, lotions, and other impurities from the skin’s surface. Patients should avoid sunlight or tanning for two weeks before their appointment, and should not have any current outbreaks such as herpes simplex virus during their treatment. There is no anesthesia used for treatment, and patients are often comfortable throughout the procedure. The typical time needed for treatment is approximately 15 minutes, allowing patients to schedule their visit during a lunch break.
Patients who are interested in learning more about laser leg or face vein therapy are encouraged to contact the team at Seriously Skin today to find out if this treatment is the best solution for eliminating unsightly veins to improve aesthetics.