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.
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.
Spider veins and varicose veins are often discussed interchangeably, but they are distinct vascular issues with different characteristics and treatment approaches.
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.
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.
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.
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 designed to focus precisely on the targeted veins while minimizing the risk of damage or irritation to the surrounding skin.
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.
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.
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.
While vein therapy benefits many patients, certain groups have unique considerations that influence the appropriate treatment approaches and possible outcomes.
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.
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.
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.
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 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, 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.
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, 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.