Laser vein removal, also known as laser therapy, is a non-invasive treatment for spider veins
Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment for spider veins that uses a concentrated beam of light to target and destroy the unwanted veins. The laser energy is absorbed by the blood in the veins, causing them to heat up and collapse. Over time, the unwanted spider veins will gradually get reabsorbed by the body and fade away from the skin’s surface.
Laser therapy is a safe and simple treatment for spider veins, and it can be used on both the face and the body. It is important to note that laser therapy is not a cure for spider veins, and the veins may reappear over time. Most patients undergoing laser therapy for spider veins need multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart for optimal results.
Laser therapy is a weak and insufficient treatment for spider veins and varicose veins
Laser therapy is incredibly popular because it’s non-invasive and widely available in medical spas and dermatology practices. But while laser therapy is simple, it’s far from the most effective treatment for spider veins. Laser therapy is commonly offered in medical spas because it can be performed by laser technicians — and not vein doctors.
But laser therapy is a weak and insufficient treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. It is only effective in about 50% of cases, and the results are not permanent. In fact, the American College of Phlebology (the leading organization for vein specialists) does not recommend laser therapy as a treatment for spider veins.
That’s because laser energy doesn’t work quickly. It can only shrink the smallest and most superficial spider veins, and even then, you may need multiple sessions. Furthermore, since laser therapy is generally offered by laser technicians (not vein doctors), patients undergoing this procedure aren’t told if their spider veins are caused by underlying vein disease.
The risk of spider vein recurrence with laser therapy is also incredibly high. Since laser therapy only focuses on superficial veins and not the underlying vein problems, you may develop new spider veins after the treatment. In addition, laser therapy is expensive, costing around $200-$400 per session.
But does that mean laser therapy is never suitable for spider vein removal? No.
Laser therapy is a suitable treatment for extremely small spider veins on the face and feet. The face and feet have dense networks of arteries and veins, making them unsuitable regions for more effective spider vein treatments, such as sclerotherapy. Most vein doctors avoid injecting sclerotherapy solutions into the face and feet because of the possible risk of accidentally closing the arteries. In that situation, laser vein removal is a safer alternative.
Sclerotherapy is a much more effective alternative to laser therapy
Sclerotherapy is a much more effective alternative to laser therapy for the treatment of spider veins. Sclerotherapy works by injecting a solution into the spider veins. The solution causes the veins to swell and collapse. The collapsed veins are then reabsorbed by the body and disappear. The solution is usually a salt solution, which is injected into the veins using a very fine needle.
Sclerotherapy is a very effective treatment for spider veins. In most cases, the spider veins will disappear after one or two treatments. Each sclerotherapy injection effectively removes one spider vein, so the total number of injections depends on the number of spider veins. Furthermore, sclerotherapy treatment can effectively remove up to 90% of the treated spider veins within 3 weeks.
You can eliminate all unwanted spider veins within 3 to 4 sessions. Sclerotherapy is also a safe and relatively painless procedure. At most, you may experience a burning and cramping sensation when the sclerotherapy solution enters the spider veins, but these sensations are mild and temporary. The results of sclerotherapy can’t be argued with.
There are a few side effects of sclerotherapy, but they are rare and usually mild. These side effects include bruising, itching, and swelling. Most side effects will resolve within a few days.
You may need to combine sclerotherapy with endovenous laser treatment or other procedures
In some cases, spider veins may return after sclerotherapy, but this is usually only if the underlying cause of the spider veins is not treated. If spider veins are caused by venous insufficiency, the medical condition responsible for most vein problems, you’ll need to undergo treatments to address the root cause first.
Treating spider veins without addressing underlying vein disease is like painting over a stained wall without fixing the leaky pipes underneath. As long as the pipes keep leaking, your wall will inevitably develop new stains. Similarly, until you treat underlying chronic venous insufficiency, new spider veins will continue reappearing.
Our vein doctors always diagnose and treat the root cause of spider veins. Some of the best minimally invasive treatments for vein disease include radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser treatment, and venaseal. Endovenous laser ablation involves using laser energy to heat and destroy the diseased saphenous vein responsible for your vein problems.
Your vein doctors must curate a personalized treatment plan after a thorough ultrasound scan
Long Island Vein Centers is a group of state-of-the-art vein centers specializing in cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments for chronic venous insufficiency and spider veins. Our vein doctors always perform comprehensive ultrasound diagnostic scans to visualize the root cause of spider veins, following which they curate a personalized vein treatment plan, which may include radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation, venaseal, and sclerotherapy.
You can find our spider vein and varicose vein centers in West Islip, Jericho, and the Hampton Bays. If you’re in or around the north shore of Long Island, you can find your nearest vein center at 350 Jericho Turnpike Suite 1A, Jericho, right off of the long island expressway. Please schedule an appointment to initiate your spider vein treatment journey.