Spider Veins - Leg & Face
Laser Vascular Therapy

We can safely and effectively treat superficial face veins (telangectasias) as well as spider veins and deeper blue and purple leg veins on both men and women.

	Before		After

How does Laser Vein Therapy work?
The Excel Laser delivers pulses of light energy directly to the blood vessels to be treated. The light energy is converted to heat by the hemoglobin in the blood, and the heat seals the blood vessel so that blood can no longer flow into the vessel. Eventually this destroys the vessel and it is reabsorbed by the body.

How does Laser Vein Therapy compare to Sclerotherapy?
Laser Vein Therapy avoids painful injections; is much more effective for small, superficial veins; and is able to target the vessel with less damage to surrounding skin.

Can blood blisters and port wine stains be treated with Laser Vascular Therapy?
Blood blisters or “hemangiomas” respond very well to Laser Vascular Therapy, usually with just one treatment. Port wine stains and other vascular lesions usually require several treatments but have excellent response rates with the Excel Laser.

How many treatments will I need?
Often, patients find that one or two treatments are sufficient. However, the number of treatments necessary depends on the number, size, location, and depth of the vessels or lesion being treated.

Do the Laser Vascular Treatments hurt?
Most patients experience a stinging sensation, like a rubber band snap, as the pulse of energy is delivered through the handpiece. Most adults tolerate this amount of pain very well. Although no local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required, some patients opt to take Tylenol™ one hour prior to laser vascular treatment to minimize procedural discomfort. The Excel Laser has a chilled tip which is applied to the skin both before and after the laser pulse. The cooling effect protects the superficial layers of the skin from heat damage and reduces the discomfort.

What happens after the Laser Vascular Therapy?
A slight burning sensation may be experienced for one or two hours after a laser vein treatment session and can be relieved with cool packs applied intermittently to the area. Following your vascular treatment, some redness may occur, lasting a few hours. Bruising may also occur and can last several weeks. When larger veins are treated, a tan or brownish pigment may persist for a few weeks or months following treatment. Patients who have extensive leg vein treatments may be advised to wear support hose for a short period of time. Occasionally, superficial crusting may occur. In this case, the treated area is covered with an antibiotic ointment and a non-stick dressing. The dressing is changed daily until the area heals.

Are there any restrictions on my activity after Laser Vein Treatments?
Patients generally resume most normal activities immediately following vein treatment. However, it is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment. The use of sunscreen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun. As always, it is a good idea to limit your sun exposure.

When will I see results following Laser Vascular Treatments?
Most patients find that the majority of the treated facial veins show significant improvement within a few days to one week. Leg veins will often look worse before they look better because of the initial darkening which may occur. Final results are usually apparent by 6 weeks to 2 months after treatment. Over time, it is possible for new veins to appear, but these too can be removed with the laser vein therapy.

Are the vascular removal lasers safe?
Yes, the Excel lasers are safe. Because the energy from the laser beam is absorbed by the abnormal vasculature and does not affect the surrounding tissue, the risk of scarring is very low. Safety goggles must be worn by the patient and the laser surgeon during the procedure to protect the eyes from the bright light.

What are the possible complications associated with Laser Vascular Therapy?
Postoperative complications from treatment with a vascular removal laser are very rare. However, with any surgery there are inherent risks. The potential adverse side effects from laser therapy for vascular lesions include: scarring, crusting, thinning of the skin, change in the color of the skin (brownish to loss of color), or a slight depression at the treatment site.

Can anyone with a vascular lesion have laser therapy?
There are some people who would not be candidates for this therapy. People who are sensitive to light due to hereditary disease or medication are not candidates for this treatment. Also, patients who have seizures triggered by light should not receive this therapy. Very dark skin individuals tend to develop hypopigmentation when treated with the Excel Laser.

Isn’t it time you got rid of those unsightly veins on your face and/or legs?

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