Get your laser facial veins treatment at the Rocky Mountain Laser Center at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, P.C. We offer Vbeam Perfecta, VascuLight, IPL/PhotoFacial technologies.
Laser Treatment for Facial Veins
Today’s advanced laser and light treatments offer fast, easy and effective ways of reducing or even eliminating facial spider veins (formally called telangiectasia). To treat veins, the targeted beam of laser light seeks the pigment in the blood, heating up and destroying the small vein. Because the laser is so precisely focused, it does not harm surrounding skin tissue. Within a period of four to six weeks, the damaged vein in reabsorbed by the body and disappears, leaving the complexion with a more youthful, even, healthy look. Because spider veins tend to be recurrent, additional procedures may be required over time.
Who is a candidate for laser therapy?
Most people are able to undergo laser therapy for facial veins. However, people with diseases of the blood vessels or bleeding and/or scarring problems may not be good candidates. Prior to undergoing treatment, you will have a skin evaluation to determine the best type of laser to use and to ensure that your veins are not varicose veins. Although laser therapy is useful for spider veins, it is not used on varicose veins.
What kinds of medical lasers are used for spider veins?
Several different types of laser are used to treat facial spider veins. Intensive Pulsed Laser (IPL), Vbeam Perfecta®, VascuLight® and the Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) are among the most popular systems for treating this condition.
How does the laser work?
The laser works by piercing the skin and penetrating the blood vessel, at which point the laser-generated heat coagulates the blood within the vein and causes it to collapse and seal over. Gradually, over a period of weeks, the vessel will disappear.
How do I prepare for the procedure?
Preparation for facial spider vein treatment is minimal. Avoid sun exposure, alcohol and anticoagulants like aspirin for at least a week before treatment. Creams, lotions and moisturizers should not be applied to the areas to be treated prior to your appointment.
What happens during treatment?
Normally, only very small superficial veins are treated and the entire process takes less than an hour. Although most patients report minimal discomfort, some patients may be more at ease if a topical anesthetic is applied prior to the procedure. To protect eyes from the intense laser beam, they will be covered by opaque protective goggles. The laser itself has a cooling system that reduces any burning sensation. Generally, patients report a mild tingling sensation as the laser files.
What can I expect after treatment?
After treatment, you may feel a slight bump underneath the treated area, which should disappear within a few hours. Skin may be temporarily redder and have a cat-scratch like appearance. Very occasionally, there may be slight bruising or crusting over. After therapy, the spider veins will gradually change in color and disappear, most within two to four weeks.
How many treatments will I need?
A series of two to six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart are normally needed. Additional treatments may be needed if new veins continue to appear.
Are there other facial vein treatments besides standard laser therapy?
Yes, IPL/PhotoFacial may also be used to reduce or eliminate facial spider veins. In Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, pulses of filtered light target and reduce or erase broken veins on the skin’s surface without damage to surrounding tissue. IPL differs from standard laser treatment in that the device emits different wavelengths of light rather than the single wavelength of a laser. Consequently, IPL is able to treat combinations of skin issues rather than the single target of laser therapy. Treatment is fast, convenient and comfortable and offers rapid recovery. Mostly used to treat the face and neck, the procedure can be performed in as little as 30 minutes.