How does laser removal of veins, capillaries or blood vessels work?

A non-invasive light therapy device is utilized to generate a pulse of intense, concentrated light through a small, cooled hand piece. The laser is pulsed for only a fraction of a second passing energy through the skin where it is absorbed by the pigment in the blood vessel / vein. This causes selective damage to the lining of the targeted area without excessive heat or damage to the surrounding tissues and skin. The blood vessels which have been destroyed are reabsorbed by the body.

What areas of the body can be treated?

Our long-pulsed YAG laser can be used on any part of the body. In women, the most common areas for treatment are veins / blood vessels on the thighs, lower legs and ankles. In men and women unwanted red blood vessels on the nose and face, including those associated with acne rosacea and with sun damage. Cherry hemangiomas (red dots on the trunk, arms and legs), and spider hemangiomas on the face, upper chest and other parts of the body can be easily treated.

What are the benefits of laser vein removal compared to alternatives?

• It allows larger areas to be treated with less discomfort than sclerotherapy or vein stripping
• It is fast, comfortable and long lasting
• It works on any area of the body
• Small blood vessels (difficult or impossible to treat with sclerotherapy) respond well to vascular laser treatment
• There is less risk of bruising compared with injection sclerotherapy
• The skin is not broken and therefore there is no need for bandages, tape or support stockings after blood vessel / vein laser treatment.

What are the risks associated with laser vein removal?

Advanced long pulsed YAG lasers are less likely than older lasers to cause prolonged irritation, pigment changes or blistering. Short-term side effects may include a reddening of the skin or swelling at the treatment site typically lasting less than a day. Occasionally an increase or decrease of pigment may be noticed, but resolves itself in several months. A single very small blister is highly unusual, but will clear up within a week or two with some Polysporin or Aloe Vera. Bruising can occur occasionally when treating vessels on the legs 2-3 mm in diameter.

Is laser removal of blood vessels / veins permanent?

There is NO treatment which can guarantee permanent removal of veins, blood vessels or broken capillaries. Depending on the area of the body and number of treatments, unsightly blood vessels can be reduced by 70% to 90%. Long-term vein / blood vessel reduction commonly lasts at the minimum two years and in many cases much longer. Regrowth of blood vessels after treatment is highly individual and depends on your genetic background, medical conditions like acne, rosacea, medications and external factors such as sun exposure.

How many treatments are needed?

The number of treatments will depend on the desired degree of vein reduction, hormonal status, area being treated and medications (for example medicines like prednisone can increase superficial vein growth). Typically, one or two treatments are needed for facial veins / broken capillaries; and three to four treatments may be needed on the legs. Treatments are done every 6 weeks on the face, and every 3 months on the legs. Cherry hemangiomas (red dots on the body) usually only require one or two treatments.

Is it safe to have laser vein removal after having sclerotherapy or other laser treatments?

No problem! The long-pulsed YAG Laser can be successfully used people who were not able to tolerate or did not obtain satisfactory results with — older laser systems. The YAG laser treats superficial and or smaller veins up to 3mm.  It is often used by people in combination with injection sclerotherapy (for veins 3mm and larger) to quicken the process and eliminate the pain often associated with sclerotherapy.

What skin colors are good candidates for laser vein removal?

The long wavelength laser is available for people with any skin color.

Which types of veins respond best to treatment?

Blood vessels you can see with the naked eye tend to have the best results. Veins so small they can only be seen with magnification are difficult but not impossible to treat. Veins larger than 3 mm in diameter and elevated above the surface of the skin, respond better to injection sclerotherapy or surgical removal.

What causes unwanted veins / blood vessels?

Leg veins tend to be inherited and can become more noticeable with age. Sometimes leg veins become more prominent after pregnancy. Unwanted blood vessels on the face (sometimes referred to as broken capillaries) are common but not limited to people with acne or rosacea. As with the legs, there a genetic factor that comes into play with broken capillaries. Medicines such as prednisone and other corticosteroids dilate capillaries making them more noticeable.  Sun exposure tends to accelerate and exacerbate unsightly veins.

What will happen on the treatment day?

Other than your regular skin care routine, there is no standard “prep” for laser vein removal. Excess dark hair absorbs laser energy reducing the energy that reaches the undesired veins or blood vessels. It is therefore recommended you shave excess dark hair. However, freshly shaved skin is more sensitive and you should allow at least one hour between shaving and treatment. The length of the procedure can range from minutes for a few spider veins to more than an hour for extensive blood vessels or veins on the thighs and lower legs. During treatment a thin coat of clear gel is lightly smoothed over the skin. Laser pulses are quickly and evenly applied to the unwanted vessels.

Does laser vein removal hurt?

The laser emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band, but there is no bleeding or open wound. Some people find the first laser treatment more uncomfortable than subsequent treatments. As the the number of veins / blood vessels are reduced the amount of discomfort is reduced. While some areas like the nose are more sensitive, many patients report little or no discomfort. If there is unusual discomfort, we have the ability to adjust the frequency of laser pulses, the power level, the pulse duration and the beam width in sensitive areas to maximize your comfort. Numbing cream is occasionally used in very sensitive areas or by those who think they have a very low pain threshold.

What will happen after treatment?

If any redness occurs it should fad significantly by the next day. The treated veins / blood vessels, in particular on the legs, may appear more obvious or a bit darker for the next week or two. Occasionally there can be isolated superficial bruising which is goes away without further treatment.

Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?

Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. You can return to work the same day and resume all your regular activities. To reduce the chance of uneven tanning in the treated area, you should minimize sun exposure for two weeks after treatment.