Spider Vein / Vascular Lesion Removal

Leg veins, spider veins, and other visible benign vascular lesions are common aesthetic conditions for which patients seek treatment for both medical and cosmetic reasons. Lasers and other light based technologies enable effective treatment of leg veins and vascular lesions by inducing vessel collapse through coagulation with minimal damage to adjacent structures.

While many of those suffering from varicose veins may not have leg discomfort, many patients with varicose veins are bothered by their appearance. Cosmetic reasons alone are the most common reason patients seek treatment for varicose veins and spider veins.

Patients often report embarrassment and reluctance to wear shorts or skirts. The condition can lead to avoidance of social activities or sports or the eroding of one's self-confidence. They can even be the root of psychological problems related to body perception, such as body dysmorphic disorder.

Different Veins Require Different Treatment
Spider veins are cherry red in color and usually appear on the legs, sometimes on the arms, and occasionally on the face. They are thin and thread-like, usually 1-2 mm in diameter, and generally appear in a linear pattern, a branch-like pattern, or a spider pattern. Spider veins on the face, legs, arms, or body can usually be treated with lasers.

What Should I Expect During A Laser Treatment?

Spider veins can be treated with lasers, especially on the face, where the veins are too small and too close to the skin's surface to be effectively collapsed with sclerotherapy. Lasers destroy the targeted veins without damaging surrounding tissues.

Laser treatments are performed on an outpatient basis and usually take from 15 minutes to an hour. You may require more than one treatment. Cold compresses are recommended to reduce any swelling, possible bruising may incur and last for approximately one week, and discoloration may last for a couple weeks.

In darker skin types, there is the risk of permanent discoloration of the skin.  This issue will be discussed with your nurse or physician during your consultation. Although laser treatment does not prevent new veins from forming, it is a very effective treatment that usually produces few, if any, side effects.