Spider veins rarely indicate a serious medical problem, but they can become a significant cosmetic nuisance. These networks of red or blue lines get their name because the patterns often resemble a spider’s legs or a web. Spider veins often form on the legs, but they can also appear on the face or other areas of skin that are frequently exposed to UV rays. If your spider veins are making you apprehensive about the upcoming, skin-baring season, maybe now is the time to confront those visible veins head-on with a minimally-invasive laser treatment.
The Magic of the Laser
Laser energy is used in a variety of ways for both medical and cosmetic treatments today. In cosmetic procedures, the laser energy can penetrate the surface of the skin without the need for incisions or other damage to the outer dermal layers. Working in the underlying dermal structure, lasers can effectively tighten skin, remove unwanted facial and body hair and even eliminate spider veins with minimal discomfort and downtime involved.
During a vein treatment, the laser wavelength used specifically targets the blood in the visible vessel. The heat from the laser coagulates the vein, causing it to seal closed and collapse. The vein is reabsorbed by the body over time, and blood naturally redirects to healthy veins nearby. Your vascular system will never notice the vessel is gone, except that the pressure inside nearby veins may improve as the damaged vein is eliminated.
At Sapphire Advanced Aesthetic, Dr. Smith and her team use state-of-the-art lasers to produce the best possible results for patients. This laser procedure is effective in eliminating spider veins, broken capillaries, and small, superficial varicose veins.
Fast Treatment, Fast Results
A laser vein treatment can be performed without anesthesia and often takes just a few minutes to complete. You might feel a sensation as the laser energy reaches the vein, comparable to a rubber band snap on the skin. In some cases, you might even see the vein begin to disappear even before your procedure is over. In other cases, 2-3 treatments may be necessary to achieve desired results. Compression or support stockings should be purchased before treatment and brought to treatment for best results.
After laser vein treatment, you can return to your regular activities right away. You might be slightly red and tender in the treatment area, similar to what you might feel when you have a sunburn. These side effects are rarely severe enough to restrict your daily routine and will likely subside within a day or two. Because the skin can be more vulnerable to sun damage right after treatment, it is best to wait a number of days before exposing your treated skin to UV rays.
Spider Veins Begone!
Since laser treatments completely eliminate spider veins, they are considered a permanent solution to this pesky cosmetic problem. However, you may see new spider veins develop over time, which can also be treated with the same laser procedure. This treatment can effectively eliminate spider veins on the legs, face or other areas of the body, and works well on nearly any skin type and tone.
If you are dreading the upcoming spring and summer seasons due to embarrassment over visible spider veins, treatment options are available. Contact Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics today at 952-460-1970 to find out if you are a good candidate for our laser vein treatment.