Laser Vein Treatment

Latest update: July 14, 2024
Medically reviewed by: Jennifer Trent MD, FAAD
Request quotes How it works

Details

Some individuals may suffer from dark red or blue veins, also known as spider veins. These veins are quite prominent and usually show up on the thighs and legs. One way to fade these veins is by using a laser treatment.

Laser treatment can target the vessels and destroy them without affecting the skin. The most common laser treatments include endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Both EVLT and RFA can diminish spider veins and varicose veins. For both procedures, patients will receive a local anesthetic. Doctors then create a tiny incision to insert the laser tube into the blood vessel, which heats up, destroys, and closes off the vein. Possible side effects include scarring and change in the pigment of the skin. RFA is safer and causes less discomfort.

Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) is a laser technology that can target red veins using light beams. PDL destroys the spider veins using thermal heat while leaving the surrounding skin intact. After the breakdown of the veins, blood flow is redirected into healthier blood vessels. Over time, the damaged veins are reabsorbed by the body. One example of a PDL treatment is the VBeam device. This laser works well on varicose veins and cherry angiomas (tiny red spots). It is a safe and effective treatment. It can help diminish the appearance of veins after just 1-2 treatments, but it is best suited for fairer skin tones. VBeam works by targeting the hemoglobin in the veins. The session can be completed within a few minutes. Patients do not need an anesthetic as a cold spray is applied to make it more comfortable. For complete removal of veins, 1-3 treatments are recommended.

Another laser technology that is used for vein treatments is the Nd: YAG laser, such as the LumenisYag Laser. It penetrates deep into the tissues and blood vessels and heats the area to clot the blood in the damaged veins and prevent blood flow. The collapsed veins will fade over time as the body reabsorbs them. A typical session lasts 20-30 minutes without an anesthetic, and doctors recommend 2-6 treatments for optimal results. 
Anesthesia
local
Operation Time
depends on treatment
Inpatient Period
n/a
Number of Appointments
depends on treatment
Recovery Period
depends on treatment
Invasiveness
no

EVLT Minimally Invasive Surgery for Varicose Veins

This video from MEDFIN covers endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins. It uses animations to describe the condition and covers the statistics on how many people are affected by this. The video explains the treatment and the procedures, talking specifically about how the treatment is performed.

Medical Center: Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins | Spider and Varicose Vein Treatment Center

Dr. Caroline Novak, a vein specialist at the Vein Treatment Clinic, talks to us about laser treatment for varicose veins. She defines lasers and talks about the reasons that lasers work to treat conditions. She uses the example of laser hair removal. She explains how this works on veins. She covers the different lasers that work on different vein issues.