The appearance of spider veins on the legs and face can be bothersome. Millions of American adults suffer from this condition, especially on their legs along with other parts of their body. This is why most of them seek non-surgical procedures like laser vein therapy to get rid of leg veins to avoid the risks that come with traditional surgical procedures.
So how many laser treatments do patients require to get rid of spider veins? Most patients see improvements after just one treatment, but others might need up to three treatment sessions to eliminate them completely. This depends on each person and how damaged the veins are when it comes to their reaction to laser treatments.
Learn More: What’s the Easiest Way to Get Rid of Spider Veins on the Face?
How Many Laser Treatment Sessions for Spider Veins?
According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, spider veins and other common varicose vein conditions affect about 40% of adult women. This incidence increases as people age because of different factors like heredity, sun exposure, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, and others.
The appearance of spider veins is mostly treated as a cosmetic concern, but some patients also experience uncomfortable symptoms along with the venous condition. They might feel pain, swelling, and heaviness in their legs. In such cases, different procedures like compression stockings, radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy, and laser treatments might be necessary.
Laser therapy is one of the most common treatments for different skin problems like spider veins. The exact number of treatment sessions needed to completely eliminate the spider veins vary per patient, but most of them see improvements after just one treatment. Getting rid of larger and more pigmented veins might require up to 3 or more treatment sessions.
The spider veins slowly lighten from dark blue to light red after the treatment, which is why patients might need to wait for a few days or weeks to see the results they want. They might also experience minor side effects like pain, swelling, and redness in the treated areas. These symptoms eventually subside a few days after the procedure.
Laser Treatment for Spider Vein Removal: What You Need to Know
Although non-surgical vein removal treatments produce more promising results in a shorter time compared to other procedures, these may not be the best procedure for everyone. It’s crucial to do your research first on treatment you’ve chosen so you can determine whether or not it’s the right option for you.
Before heading to the nearest vein clinic to get a laser treatment for the visible veins on your skin, here’s everything to you need to know about spider vein laser treatments:
How It Works
Laser technology is used for treating several venous conditions, including spider veins and varicose veins. It involves using a special device to deliver light energy to the affected blood vessel, causing it to scar and close. The blood then reroutes to the nearby veins. The colors of the treated vein slowly fade as there isn’t blood flowing inside it anymore.
There are two types of laser treatments depending on the size of the damaged vein:
- Simple Laser Treatment – The procedure is done on the skin surface since the swollen veins are easily visible. The vascular surgeon or laser technician uses a special device to deliver light energy to the target vein. The photons from the laser are absorbed by the blood cells stuck inside the veins. This causes them to heat the spider veins until they scar and close. The laser energy only targets the visible veins, so it won’t damage the surrounding skin.
- Endovenous Laser Therapy – This procedure is performed to eliminate larger veins like reticular veins and varicose veins. During the treatment, the doctor inserts a laser fiber into the damaged vein through a catheter. It then produces laser energy to heat and seal the vein walls. The surrounding blood vessels, tissues, and skin are also unharmed during this procedure.
In both treatments, the treated veins eventually shrink and get absorbed by the body over time. Most patients with small visible veins on their skin only need simple laser treatment. However, consulting with a medical professional helps determine which treatment plan is the best for you.
What to Expect Before, During, and After
Aside from explaining how the treatment works, the vascular specialist should also discuss how patients should prepare before, during, and after the treatment.
Before
- During the consultation, the healthcare professional reviews the patient’s medical history. This includes a physical exam and a review about the medications they’re taking and past diagnoses of other health conditions.
- Patients are also given a list of things and activities they need to avoid before the treatment.
- Sunbathing, waxing, and tanning beds should be avoided for about two weeks before the appointment.
- Patients are prohibited from taking herbal supplements, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize bleeding.
During
- Patients are given local anesthesia or light sedative before the treatment to help them manage pain or discomfort during the treatment.
- The doctor uses a handheld device to target the spider veins right beneath the skin.
- Make sure to tell the doctor if the treatment becomes too uncomfortable so they may adjust the settings of the device.
After
- The results might not be immediately visible for most patients as spider veins take time to fade. Multiple treatment sessions might also be needed for larger and more pigmented visible veins.
- Patients may notice redness, swelling, and a mild stinging sensation in the treated area. This usually lasts for a few hours or days. Use moist cloth and ice packs to relieve the pain and discomfort.
- Avoid putting lotion or makeup in the treatment areas for the first 24 hours or until the stinging and redness are gone.
Who the Best Candidates Are
Patients with good overall health who want to get rid of their visible veins in the legs, face, or other parts of their body are ideal candidates for this treatment. Those with underlying medical conditions like clotting disorders are advised to skip the treatment. Taking certain medications might also cause complications during or after the treatment so patients should seek the approval of their primary care physician first.
What the Possible Side Effects Are
Although laser treatments have fewer side effects and shorter patient downtime than surgical vein removal procedures, they also have minor side effects like:
- Crusting
- Scarring
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Discoloration
- Pain
- Swelling
These common symptoms eventually disappear after a few days, but make sure to contact healthcare providers immediately if they worsen or persist. Finding the right laser technician, aesthetic practitioner, or board-certified dermatologist also helps patients minimize the risk of developing these side effects.
Read More: 4 Positive Effects of Laser Treatments on Eliminating Spider and Varicose Veins
Say Hello to Vein-Free Skin with Spider Vein Removal Treatments at Vein Center Doctor
Vein Center Doctor is a trusted full-service vein treatment clinic in New York and New Jersey. Our team of highly-skilled technicians,aesthetic practitioners, and staff help hundreds of patients with their vein conditions and address these with comprehensive treatment plans. We treat spider veins, varicose veins, and other serious venous conditions like deep vein thrombosis.
Explore your treatment options for spider veins, varicose veins, and other venous conditions like sclerotherapy, RFA, EVLT, VenaSeal™, and compression therapy and get back smooth, clear, and vein-free skin. Call us today at 1-862-227-1054.
