Laser Treatment for Spider Veins

Spider veins are tiny veins occurring beneath the skin and having a shape similar to that of a spider. These veins commonly develop on the thighs, face, ankles and calves. Usually, they are red, blue or purple in color and are disfiguring cosmetically. They radiate from a central point and are termed as “telangiectasias”. They appear like the branches radiating from the trunk of a tree. Laser treatment for spider veins is a non invasive and effective method of getting rid of spider veins.

Cause of spider veins:

The exact cause of the development of spider veins is not known. They mostly result due to an underlying venous insufficiency. According to the doctors, the activities that put pressure on the veins of leg such as standing for long durations, sitting or gaining weight can lead to the development of these veins. Spider veins appear often during pregnancy in women.

Spider veins may also appear resulting from an injury to the affected area. It may also result from a family history. Overexposure to Sun can also cause spider veins to appear on the exposed parts like face and nose.

Laser treatment for spider veins:

Laser treatment is effective in treating the medium and small sized veins. Large spider veins can be effectively treated with Sclerotherapy. A person having spider veins on the face would opt for a laser treatment rather than sclerotherpy.

Laser treatment for spider veins does not require any pain medications or sedatives or local anesthesia or injections. Transcutaneous laser is used for treating the smallest surface veins. These veins should be close to the surface as the skin tends to get damaged easily by the ablative energy of laser.

Two to four sessions of treatment are usually required to get the desi...

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...in color and a small bruise can also be experienced. This fades away within 7-10 days. It is recommended to use ice packs to reduce the swelling. At times injuries or burns may be caused due to the heat of the laser. Redness and purple discoloration may remain for some weeks or even longer.

Aftercare:

The areas of skin treated with laser are quite sensitive to UV rays. Exposure to sun may lead to permanent discoloration of the treated areas. Try to avoid sun exposure and use a sunscreen in sufficient amount whenever necessary. This reduces the risk of skin damage.

After the laser treatment for spider veins, there may be some blistering in the skin, especially those with fair skin. Avoid using a make up till your skin is not completely healed as it may agitate the areas of treatment. An anti-bacterial topical ointment can be used to prevent the infection.