WHAT IS SPIDER VEIN REMOVAL?
Pesky spider veins, those web-like red or blue colored veins that appear on the surface of your skin, are able to be safely and effectively removed by this non-invasive laser treatment. Spider veins are, in essence, vestiges of damaged veins. When pressure is put on our veins due to inadequate circulation and blood-flow, the vein walls weaken, and from them spider veins begin to sprout out as an alternative blood-flow channel. Such pressure can be exerted by standing too long, sitting too long, injury, hormonal changes, sunlight, and more. Spider veins are not very attractive, but luckily there is a fix for them!
WHY SPIDER VEIN REMOVAL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Spider vein removal treatment works by directing long-pulsed laser heat atop targeted spider veins, after which the veins will absorb the pulsed heat and dissolve. After being reduced to microscopic particles, these fragments will be absorbed and eliminated by the body. After these pesky veins are gone, blood-flow can effectively be rerouted to deeper, non-visible, veins.
WHAT CAN THE LASER TREAT?
Spider veins normally crop up behind the legs or on the face, but any area with spider veins may be treated. Further, clients with a range of skin types may safely partake in this treatment.
This treatment is best suited for thin spider veins and cherry angiomas (bundles of capillaries that show up as a slightly protruded red dot on the surface of the skin), unfortunately not thicker bulging varicose veins which are equally unpleasant.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM LASER VEIN REMOVAL TREATMENT?
It is comforting to know what to expect with a treatment that includes a laser, so we have detailed pre- and post- treatment instructions below so our clients can come into their appointments confident and ready.
It is highly recommended to consult with one of our aesthetic professionals here at Lavande prior to booking your laser skin resurfacing appointment, where a personal evaluation synthesizing your medical history and aesthetic goals should be completed. This is to determine the best course of action for your aesthetic needs, determine what treatment is best for your skin type, and to prepare you for your what is to come. We here at Lavande want to make sure you are a candidate for this treatment as well as confident about your decision to proceed.
In preparation, we may ask that you abstain from taking or applying any harsh medications (such as Accutane or Retinol), so as to avoid the occurrence of poor healing, pigmentation, or scarring from laser treatment. We will also ask that you refrain from getting direct sun exposure for about a week prior to treatment.
WHEN WILL I SEE TREATMENT RESULTS AND HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?
Most clients can see results immediately! The dissipation of the spider vein is an interestingly quick process. Further, results are quite long-lasting in most instances! Of course, if the conditions that caused the spider veins to sprout in the first place are not remedied, it is likely that they will crop up again (especially leg spider veins). To avoid future spider veins, it is recommended to get regular exercise, not stay in a single position for too long, and wear compression stockings (to improve circulation).
WHAT IF I HAVE THICKER VARICOSE VEINS?
While laser therapy does not have the capacity to target thicker varicose veins, there are other treatments available to eliminate them (but none of which are offered in our office). Sclerotherapy is one option, whereby varicose veins will be injected with a material that will cause the veins to close off and dissipate.