VEIN THERAPY
Twisted, enlarged veins can be an unpleasant addition to our bodies. Spider veins tend to appear when excess pressure is put on certain areas such as the legs and face. Not only may you find these veins unattractive, but their appearance is often accompanied by itching, burning, and irritation. Laser Aesthetics believes that no one should live with this discomfort. This is why we are happy to extend a helpful hand and offer vein therapy solutions to our wonderful friends in need.
UNDERSTANDING VEIN CONDITIONS
Vein conditions affect millions of Americans annually, yet many suffer silently without seeking treatment. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort or are simply concerned about the appearance of visible veins, understanding the root causes and treatment options can empower you to make informed decisions about your vascular health.
Common Types of Problematic Veins
Spider veins and varicose veins are often discussed interchangeably, but they are distinct vascular issues with different characteristics and treatment approaches.
Spider Veins
Spider veins appear as thin, delicate lines that resemble spider webs or tree branches just beneath the skin’s surface. These small, damaged veins typically display in red, blue, or purple hues and most frequently develop on the legs and face. While they’re generally not painful, some patients report mild symptoms like itching or burning sensations in affected areas.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins, conversely, are larger, rope-like veins that protrude above the skin’s surface. These bulging vessels develop when valves within the veins malfunction, causing blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back to the heart. This pooling creates pressure that weakens vein walls, resulting in noticeable bulges typically appearing on the legs and feet. Symptoms often include aching pain, heaviness, throbbing, and in severe cases, skin changes or ulceration.
Facial Veins
Facial telangiectasia refers specifically to dilated blood vessels on the face, which typically manifest as small red lines around the nose, cheeks, and chin. These can result from sun exposure, genetics, certain medical conditions, or simply aging.
WHAT IS VEIN THERAPY?
Laser Aesthetics vein therapy involves the use of specialized lasers equipped with the unique ability to target adverse blood vessels without disturbing surrounding tissue. All of our lasers are FDA-approved and designed specifically for safe and effective skin treatment. Pulsating lights are absorbed by the skin during our treatments. Once absorbed, these lights collapse unwanted blood vessels using targeted heat energy.
VEIN THERAPY TREATMENT OPTIONS
Spider Vein Therapy
Laser Aesthetics’s spider vein therapy option is used to target enlarged blood vessels on specific body regions such as the legs. This completely safe procedure is geared toward removing dilated, short, and unconnected veins only. Our specialized lasers are made to prevent damage to surrounding areas. This means that spider vein therapy sessions will never result in damaged skin or irritation.
Facial Telangiectasia Vein Therapy
This therapy option is specifically geared toward removing spider veins located on the face. These veins are caused by widened venules (tiny blood vessels) that branch out into red or blue clusters. Our targeted laser technology removes these veins quickly while causing only minimal discomfort during treatment.
HOW LASER VEIN THERAPY WORKS
Our laser vein treatments function on the principle of selective photothermolysis, which means they target specific tissues without affecting or harming the surrounding areas. During treatment, the laser emits light energy that the hemoglobin in blood vessels absorbs. This selective absorption generates heat, which damages the vessel lining, causing it to collapse and seal shut. Over time, your body naturally reabsorbs these treated vessels, gradually diminishing their appearance.
The precision of our laser systems allows us to target vessels at specific depths and diameters. This selective approach minimizes skin damage and significantly reduces potential side effects compared to older vein treatment methods.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Both treatments require roughly 3 to 5 laser sessions at 4-week intervals. Vein color and size play a big role in determining how long sessions take, so treatment times may vary. After your treatment, you can expect some redness, swelling, and bruising to occur. However, most symptoms will disappear in a matter of hours and the procedures carry no risk of long term side effects.
Before and After Your Treatment:
- To AVOID hyperpigmentation (dark spots) after treatment, do not expose yourself to the sun without at least 30SPF sunscreen. Remember the sun’s harmful rays can penetrate clothing.
- Avoid the use of self-tanning agents, spray tans, tanning beds or any other artificial pigment to the skin while undergoing treatment and for at least 3 weeks prior to the first treatment.
- Avoid any irritants to your skin, such as any products containing Retin-A, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids or astringents for 1 week before and after your treatment.
- If possible, please do not wear any makeup prior to your facial treatment.
- To avoid the opening of the treated veins and significant bruising, do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory products (Anacin, Bufferin, Advil, Ibuprofen or Nuprin) for one week before and after treatment. Tylenol may be used.
- Avoid alcohol for at least two weeks before treatment.
- To decrease any discomfort after treatment, using a support hose or an ace bandage MAY be helpful. It may also help in reducing the amount of bruising. The research comparing the use of support hose versus not using support hose demonstrates mixed results.
- Post-treatment bruising can be minimized by applying Vitamin K cream, Arnica Montana, or Auriderm Cream.
- Ice can be applied (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) to decrease swelling in the treatment area. Swelling will subside naturally in a few hours. Bromelain 750 mg four times per day is a homeopathic remedy utilized to reduce swelling. Do not take on an empty stomach.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIFFERENT PATIENT GROUPS
While vein therapy benefits many patients, certain groups have unique considerations that influence the appropriate treatment approaches and possible outcomes.
Vein Therapy During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Pregnancy often triggers or worsens vein issues due to increased blood volume, hormonal changes, and pressure from the growing uterus. However, most vein treatments are not recommended during pregnancy. For expectant mothers experiencing vein discomfort, we recommend supportive measures like compression stockings, leg elevation, and regular walking until after delivery.
Postpartum patients typically benefit from waiting 3-6 months after childbirth before pursuing vein therapy. This delay allows the body to naturally resolve some pregnancy-induced vein changes and ensures hormonal levels have stabilized. For mothers who are breastfeeding, we can discuss treatment options that won’t interfere with nursing.
For women planning future pregnancies, timing vein treatments appropriately can maximize benefits. While pregnancy may trigger new vein development, previous treatments remain effective for the specific vessels already addressed. Many women choose to address problematic veins between pregnancies for symptom relief and aesthetic improvement.
Considerations for Older Adults
Senior patients often present with more complex vein conditions developed over decades. Our approach for older adults frequently involves a thorough vascular assessment to identify underlying issues that might impact treatment success or signal more serious concerns requiring medical intervention.
Medication interactions require careful consideration for older adults, who often take multiple prescriptions. During your consultation, we’ll review all medications to ensure they won’t interfere with treatment safety or results. Sometimes, temporary adjustments to medication schedules optimize treatment outcomes.
The skin characteristics that change with age also require modifications to laser settings. Older skin typically has less elasticity and different healing capabilities, which we account for when developing treatment plans. These customizations help ensure safe, effective results for patients of all ages.
Athletes and Active Individuals
For athletes and highly active individuals, we often recommend scheduling treatments during less intense training periods. While vein therapy doesn’t require exercise restriction, some patients experience temporary discomfort that might affect performance during competitive seasons.
Active individuals typically demonstrate excellent results from vein therapy, as their strong circulation supports efficient healing. However, these patients sometimes develop vein issues despite their fitness due to high-impact activities that increase venous pressure or genetic predispositions.
We work with athletes to develop treatment schedules that align with their training and competition calendars, ensuring minimal disruption to their athletic pursuits while addressing their vein concerns effectively.
BEYOND AESTHETICS: HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF VEIN CONDITIONS
While many people seek vein therapy for cosmetic reasons, untreated vein conditions can sometimes progress to more serious health concerns. When veins function improperly, they may indicate or lead to:
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when damaged vein valves prevent proper blood flow back to the heart, causing blood to pool in the legs. This condition produces symptoms like leg swelling, pain, skin changes, and in advanced cases, open sores called venous ulcers. Treating underlying vein issues helps prevent this progression.
Phlebitis
Phlebitis, or inflammation of a vein, sometimes develops in varicose veins. This inflammation can cause tenderness, redness, and warmth along the affected vein and may require medical intervention.
Bleeding
Spontaneous bleeding sometimes occurs when varicose veins become extremely dilated and the skin over them thins. Even minor trauma to the area can cause significant bleeding that may be difficult to control without medical assistance.
Blood Clots & Deep Vein Thrombosis
Blood clots, while rare, present the most serious potential complication of untreated vein conditions. Superficial thrombophlebitis involves clots in veins near the skin’s surface and typically causes localized pain and inflammation. The more serious deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involves clots in deeper veins that could potentially break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.