Unsightly veins in the face, legs and other areas can be successfully removed through laser treatment. Using a concentrated beam of laser energy that is virtually pain free, Drs. Tripti Burt and Neena Will non-invasively and permanently reduce the appearance of veins. Depending on the extent of your veins, you may need only one to three treatments to see great results. Since treatments do not require significant downtime, they can be scheduled at your convenience. Ideally, patients should not tan immediately before or after treatment.
How Does Laser Vein Removal Work?
The laser beam sends strong bursts of light into the vein, destroying it so it slowly fades and disappears. Laser therapy is most effective on spider veins (small clusters of red, blue or purple veins) that appear on the thighs, calves, ankles, feet and face. Our patients are men and women with family history of spider veins, athletes, and patients who have tried other injection or laser techniques without success. It is not recommended for varicose veins, which are typically larger and can burn or throb. Varicose veins can be treated with minor surgery and require a separate appointment with Dr. Burt at her state-of-the-art surgical office.
Laser vein removal is not right for every skin type and color; please contact Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology to schedule a personal consultation and review your case.
What to Expect
Laser vein removal is a quick treatment — about 10 to 30 minutes — and does not require anesthesia or a painful, lengthy recovery period. A numbing cream may be used in some cases for a more comfortable experience, but in general, laser vein removal is very well-tolerated by patients because of its built-in cooling tip.
During laser vein removal, the laser is calibrated to a specific wavelength to meet a certain depth in the skin. The handpiece delivers laser energy to the blood vessel and the hemoglobin absorbs the laser beam. The heat that is created at this step destroys the blood vessel from the inside out, and the vein will start to disappear. The pulse from the laser may briefly sting, but it is not painful. Because the laser beam is so tiny, it is able to accomplish this without damaging the surrounding tissue.
The veins will gradually fade over several months. Side effects of laser vein removal can include temporary redness, swelling, bruising and discoloration. It’s best to refrain from vigorous activities for a day, but you should be able to resume your normal routine quickly.