Laser Leg Vein Therapy
In recent years, medical lasers have become significantly more advanced. Today, lasers are widely used for a broad range of non-invasive cosmetic treatments. Laser therapy is extremely safe and effective for treating leg veins, as well as for veins that are visible on the face, neck, chest, and just about anywhere else. Laser treatment also has proven effective for the correction of benign pigmented lesions such as age spots, birthmarks, and tattoos. Non-invasive treatments like laser therapy have become increasingly popular because they involve very few side effects and patients resume regular activities immediately following treatment.
Who are candidates for treatment?
Men, women, and children, with light or dark skin can safely and effectively be treated by laser therapy. Patients using blood thinners or who are afflicted with a serious illness generally are not candidates for treatment. Patients with dark suntans or photosensitivity disorders, diabetes, bleeding disorders, or who are currently taking photosensitizing medications also may be restricted from candidacy.
How many treatments are required?
The number of treatments necessary to resolve vein concerns depends largely on the size of the veins to be treated and the body's ability to heal. During an initial consultation, patients receive an evaluation and are given an estimated number of required treatments needed to obtain optimal results.
What does the treatment involve?
Treatment may vary in length from 15 to 30 minutes. Heat from the laser damages vein walls. As a result, the body induces a natural healing process. Veins then shrink and become less visible. Sometimes, they disappear altogether. Documentation from medical studies reveals exceptional results related to using laser therapy for the treatment of assorted vein conditions. Moreover, laser therapy allows for customized treatment of virtually every small vein disorder, including deep veins and veins that do not respond favorably to other treatment methods.
What are the side effects and is there any "down time"?
The beauty of laser treatment is that there is no down time involved. Patients immediately resume regular activities. Pain is generally mild. Swelling and mild bruising may occur but quickly resolves over time. Limiting your sun exposure will greatly minimize the risk of complication.
Which types of veins can laser therapy treat?
Laser therapy treats many types of leg veins, including shallow spider veins and reticular veins.
Spider veins are very small veins created by the dilation of tiny venules found under the skin. Spider veins occur when the pressure inside the vein increases enough to overcome normal resistance of the vein wall. Resistance to increased pressure is more of an issue for women with reduced estrogen levels.
Reticular veins are small, bluish-colored veins that carry blood to the skin venules. They are larger than spider veins. Reticular veins have thin walls and dilate with excessive venous pressure. When this process occurs, the affected veins become large enough to be deemed unsightly, but are not considered varicose veins.
Both spider veins and reticular veins respond extremely well to laser therapy.
