How Does Laser Vein Removal Work on Spider Veins?

Many people struggle with trying to cover spider veins. In some cases, spider veins can be avoided, but they can appear even with our best efforts. At Essential Med Clinic, Dr. Freda Cobbinah uses laser vein removal to target and collapse problematic veins. Without the prominent veins protruding from the skin on your face, arms, legs, or any other area, you can live freely with the confidence you deserve. 

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are small, threadlike veins that appear on thighs, calves, ankles, and many other parts of the body. They may appear purple, red, or blue and look similar to a spider web, branching off beneath the skin and causing you to feel self-conscious about your appearance. While spider veins do not cause any health risks, many people want them to disappear to boost their confidence and to feel secure in their appearance. 

What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins may appear for a variety of reasons. Some causes include:

• Genetics 
• Pregnancy
• Weight changes
• Hormonal changes
• Prolonged sitting and standing in the same position

While these are some causes for spider veins, sometimes they appear without a concrete reason. Large blood vessels leaving an area of your body like your legs may have trouble keeping the blood flowing. As the smaller veins pool and the blood backflows, the pressure in the small vessels close to the skin’s surface expands, resulting in the formation of spider veins. 

What is Laser Vein Removal?

Laser vein removal is a non-invasive procedure to clear vascular lesions. The laser targets the pigment in the spider vein, heating the blood vessels. The heat damages the problematic vein, causing it to dissolve over time by the body’s natural process of removing damaged cells. Laser vein removal is the treatment of choice for facial spider veins but can be used to treat spider veins anywhere on the body. 

What Type of Laser is Used at Essential Med Clinic?

At Essential Med Clinic, Dr. Cobbinah and her team use Advanced Cutera Xeo® and excel® HR for spider vein removal. These lasers can treat almost all skin types, including darker skin tones, using a combo of wavelengths and long-pulsed Nd: YAG technology. As one of our medical professionals moves the device over the target areas, an integrated cooling device allows optimal safety and comfort. 

What is Laser Spider Vein Removal Like?

The treatment lasts around 30 minutes total, making this a fast, effective, and easy way to get rid of spider veins. You may feel a slight tingling sensation, but the treatment is mostly painless. The laser system uses sapphire tips to cool the skin, keeping you comfortable throughout the entire appointment. Dr. Cobbinah will use a wavelength tailored to your skin type to allow for the most appropriate treatment for your skin and the best results. 

Preparation for Laser Vein Removal

To prepare for your treatment, Dr. Cobbinah will review your medical history and may conduct a physical exam to determine the best course of action. Please avoid sunbathing, tanning beds, or waxing for two weeks prior to your appointment to allow for the most accurate targeting of the pigment in the spider veins. Furthermore, please avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal treatments as it can increase the risk of bleeding. Dr. Cobbinah will review the specifics of treatment preparation at your in-person consultation. 

What is the Laser Vein Removal Recovery Time?

You may feel some discomfort immediately following the treatment. Your skin may experience slight redness and feel sensitive for a couple of hours. There will be minor swelling, but all symptoms usually resolve within a few days. Most people return to all usual activities and recover completely within a week. 

What to Expect After Laser Vein Removal

The recovery from laser vein removal is minimal. Some treatment centers may ask you to avoid applying makeup or lotion to the treated area for 24 hours after or until the signs of redness have stopped. It may be good to use moisturizing cream twice daily for approximately three months after your treatment. Discuss what recovery will look like for you with Dr. Cobbinah or her team at Essential Med Clinic.

Benefits of Laser Spider Vein Removal

Some people choose to resolve spider veins by surgery, but it requires general anesthesia and overnight stays for recovery (in most cases). There are more risks with surgery and more benefits in laser vein removal. With laser spider vein removal, the benefits include but are not limited to: 

• Minimal downtime
• The treatment only takes 30 minutes
• Suitable for almost all skin times
• Less risk of post-treatment side effects
• Minimal discomfort during and after
• Long-term results
• Recovery takes less than a week
• No scarring

Laser spider vein removal has minimal risk with maximum results, whether in the legs or the face. Without the risk of surgery, you can live your best life, free of protruding spider veins. 

How Long Do the Results of Laser Spider Vein Removal Last?

You probably won’t see results immediately after the treatment. After a few weeks, the veins will slowly dissolve as the blood reroutes and travels through less problematic veins. The time for results to appear varies depending on the person, but results should appear within several months. After the spider veins fade, you should not see them again. 

In cases due to aging or environmental factors, the spider veins may resurface again. You may increase your risk of their return if you smoke or do not maintain a healthy lifestyle; however, most people live free of spider veins for the rest of their lives. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Vein Removal?

If you struggle with spider veins without an underlying vascular problem, you might be a good candidate for laser vein removal. The non-surgical treatment has minimal downtime and none of the risks associated with surgical methods, making it a safe and reliable way to remove spider veins. If you want to regain your confidence in your body, laser spider vein removal may be a beneficial and freeing option. 

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about Spider Vein Treatment, please call us at (210) 568-7555 or complete our online contact form, and one of our trusted staff members will reach out to you. Essential Med Aesthetics is located in San Antonio, Texas.