Spider Veins FAQ
The most commonly asked questions and answers about this laser treatment.
- What is the treatment like?
- Is it painful?
- Are there any patients who cannot be treated with the laser for leg veins?
- What should I do to prepare for the treatment?
- What will my legs look like after treatment?
- Why is laser therapy a better treatment for small spider veins of the leg than injecting something (sclerotherapy) into your vein to eliminate it?
- Are there any special instructions after treatment?
- How many treatments are needed?
- Is the treatment permanent? Will they come back?
- What are the risks of leg vein treatment?
- Is laser leg vein removal permanent?
What is the treatment like?
Your skin will be cleansed of any sunscreen or lotion. You will wear special laser goggles to protect your eyes during the treatment. You will lie flat on one of our comfortable treatment beds in order to decrease the pressure of blood in your legs.
Is it painful?
The GentleYAG is the possibly the least painful laser for leg veins due to its variable pulse width and the dynamic cooling device that is patented by Candela. Most of our patients that have previously had sclerotherapy or used other Nd:YAG lasers have said that the GentleYAG laser is much less painful. Topical anesthetics are not needed for treatment. During the treatment the nurse uses a "pulse and swipe" technique, using a cold sponge immediately after each pulse to decrease the stinging sensation. This has made our treatments less painful for our patients. After each section is treated we apply cold gel packs to decrease swelling, redness, and discomfort.
Are there any patients who cannot be treated with the laser for leg veins?
- Patients taking high doses of iron (more than a multi-vitamin) MAY be more susceptible to hyperpigmentation (increased pigment/brown spots) if treated with the laser. This pigmentation change usually resolves but can last for months. Testing can be preformed first to see if there are any problems after treatment.
- Patients taking blood thinners or daily aspirin may bruise more easily than others.
- Patients with poor circulation (i.e. diabetics) may have poor or delayed healing if treated with the laser for leg veins. Spot testing will be required to determine if you are a candidate for the laser treatment.
- Patients who have varicosities (bulging large vessels greater than 2mm wide) should have those larger veins treated FIRST before attempting to treat the smaller spider veins by laser. We refer our patients to a physician in Mt.Pleasant, South Carolina for a new out-patient procedure that is much more advanced and much less painful than traditional "vein stripping." For more information visit: vnus.com. We are happy to make this referral for you.
What should I do to prepare for the treatment?
- Please shave or clip the areas to be treated the day before treatment or on the morning of treatment. This way, the skin will be less sensitive. Excess hair above the surface of the skin absorbs and wastes laser energy, and reduces the amount of energy that reaches the unwanted blood vessels where it is really needed. Excess hair above the surface of the skin also increases the chance of burning or irritating the skin.
- Some people find it helpful to take two or three plain Tylenol 2 hours before coming in for treatment. Some women who find that they are less sensitive after their menses prefer to schedule their treatment sessions to avoid the premenstrual and menstrual time. You will be less sensitive if you are well rested, well fed, and not thirsty when you have your treatment. You should pamper yourself on laser days!
- During the treatment, remember that: "We want to be doing this FOR you, not doing it TO you." Unexpected discomfort is nature's way of telling us something is wrong, so please tell us and we will go slower, apply more cooling, or adjust the power of the laser for you.
What will my legs look like after treatment?
Initially there will be swelling along the vessel line that almost looks like a cat scratch. This will decrease over the next week. The area may turn blue/red along the vessel line. Over the next 6-8 weeks the broken down vessel will be "cleaned up" by your body. You will have a gradual fading of the treated vessels.
Why is laser therapy a better treatment for small spider veins of the leg than injecting something (sclerotherapy) into your vein to eliminate it?
- There is no need for a needle to pierce your skin. Only the laser beam touches your skin.
- There is no need to worry about an allergic reaction that can happen with saline injections.
- There is no aching, muscle cramps, or bruising that might happen with sclerosing solutions.
- Even tiny veins can be treated, which is very difficult with sclerotherapy.
- The laser is a quick and easy procedure.
- The laser is computer controlled, and the chance of complications is very minimal.
- Laser treatments are reasonably priced.
Are there any special instructions after treatment?
- Immediately post treatment, the heat of the laser pulses MAY be slightly uncomfortable. Cold gel packs or applications can be applied intermittently (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first day to relieve discomfort.
- You may shower and bathe as usual. Be gentle with the treated areas for the first day.
- No heavy exercise for the first 48 hours.
- Tylenol is recommended for discomfort, if necessary.
- Blistering is extremely rare but if this should happen, antibiotic ointment can be applied to keep the area from becoming infected. Keep the area clean and covered until healed.
- Usually, a daily moisturizer may be applied to the treated if desired.
- Stay out of the sun and tanning beds for at least 2 weeks. If you are planning to be outside during this period of time you need to use a sunscreen with zinc oxide, and a SPF of at least 30. We have several sunscreens available for purchase.
- The treated area may be bruised or discolored after treatment. This can last for a few days to a couple of weeks.
- When a full treatment is preformed, waiting AT LEAST 6-8 WEEKS before the next treatment is best as healing continues throughout this entire period.
How many treatments are needed?
This depends on the severity of each case. Most people need 3 treatments to achieve their desired result.
Is the treatment permanent? Will they come back?
Once they are gone, they are gone. However, you can always grow new ones. If you are prone to getting spider veins and you are on your feet for much of the day, you may want to consider support hose to prevent their re-occurrence.
What are the risks of leg vein treatment?
Although every measure will be taken to decrease the risk of side effects, even with the best of care, adverse reactions can happen. There is no way to ascertain individual sensitivities to laser energy prior to treatment. These reactions can include blistering, bruising, and hyper or hypo-pigmentation. In addition, as dried blood and small clots in vessels are absorbed, brown staining may be apparent and may take several months to disappear. In very rare instances scarring could happen.
Is laser leg vein removal permanent?
This statement would imply a "100% removal of vessels - FOREVER!" This is not possible and no clinic or physician should claim this. There are NO treatments for vessels (even laser) that can guarantee anyone "permanent blood vessel removal" forever.
The most realistic approach would be "long term blood vessel REDUCTION". This means after 2-3 treatments you should have a great improvement - generally 75-90% over what they were before. Most people are very pleased with this degree of improvement as long as they understand this before they proceed with treatment. The cosmetic results are generally excellent. Because laser vein reduction has only been available for the last 10 years, there is no way to know if the results will last for 15-20 years. However, we do know that long-term vessel reduction commonly lasts for 2 years or more, and some patients who have had leg vein reduction many years ago are still satisfied with the high degree of improvement.
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