Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Vein Removal
- What are spider veins?
- Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels with a bluish or red
color located close to the surface of the skin. They are most
commonly found on the legs and face, although they can appear anywhere
on the body. In general they do not constitute a health hazard but they
can cause a dull ache in the legs after long periods of standing.
- Who gets them and why?
- The exact cause of spider and varicose veins is unknown. They are
caused by excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen. They are more
common in women, and seem to be hereditary. Some of the more common
pressure inducers are pregnancy, obesity and standing for very long
periods of time. Oral contraceptives can also lead to spider veins.
Where pregnancy or contraceptives are the lead factor for spider veins,
they tend to disappear without treatment within 6-9 months of either
giving birth or discontinuing the contraceptives. A lack of physical
activity could also lead to varicose or spider veins, because
unconditioned muscles offer poor blood-pumping action. The risks
increase with age.
- What is laser vein treatment?
- Laser therapy is a proven treatment for eliminating unsightly broken
and dilated vessels such as unwanted vascular lesions as rosacea, port
wine stains, and other vascular birthmarks. In fact, the latest
advances in laser technology have given us a method for removal that is
safer, faster, and more effective than previous methods.
- How does laser vein treatment work?
- The treatment is performed by applying the laser on the vein to be
removed. The laser light is absorbed by hemoglobin, a substance in the
blood that gives it a red or purple color. Brief light pulses are
delivered to the vein, causing the vessel to coagulate and subsequently
be absorbed by the body. The wavelength enables the beam of light to
reach the target vessels under the skin and to bypass the skin entirely.
- What can I expect with the treatment?
- Most people describe laser vein treatment as feeling like the snap of a rubber band against the skin. This feeling, however, dissipates immediately. Any discomfort can be eased with the application of cool compresses. After treatment, you can immediately return to normal activities, so long as strenuous activity is avoided for a few days.
- How soon will I see results?
- Because laser vein treatment works by causing the unwanted vein to break up and dissolve, resolution of the unwanted vein will take place over the course of several weeks. It may take up to two months for the vein to be carried away by the body. The most common side effect is bruising around the treated area. This will resolve within days to a couple weeks of the treatment.
- How many treatment sessions will I need?
- Typically 2 to 3 treatments are required and should be performed every 6 weeks. Some veins may disappear after a single treatment while others may take longer. The amount of treatments necessary will depend on your particular skin condition.
- Are these treatments safe?
- Yes. Lasers and advanced light systems have been used safely on
millions of patients of all ages worldwide. These systems treat only
the targeted spots, leaving the surrounding tissue intact.
- Who performs the treatments?
- Sutera employs only highly qualified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners ("Nurse Practitioners") to operate the laser. A Nurse Practitioner receives advanced education and training which falls between that of a nurse and a physician. In addition, Sutera’s Nurse Practitioners have been extensively trained in the use of lasers. This is in stark contrast to most doctors' offices where they employ a lightly-trained RN or electrologist to do the treatments.
