Vein Treatments - Laser Vein Removal - FAQs

Laser Vein Removal : Frequntly Asked Questions

Will laser therapy work on my leg veins?

Although there is no way to tell for sure which veins will respond, a consultation with us at Medical Aesthetics of New England, PC to evaluate and assess your veins will be required. Prior surgery or treatment on your veins could affect the treatment outcome. In some cases, further testing may be recommended to determine if there are underlying venous problems. We use several different lasers to treat veins.

What areas can be treated?

By combining sclerotherapy and laser vein removal, all areas of the body can be treated. We most commonly perform treatments on the legs. We can use the laser for both the face and legs, as well as other delicate areas. At Medical Aesthetics of New England, PC, we can also use one of our IPL’s to treat facial veins.

What does it feel like?

Although many patients report little or no discomfort, some may experience a mild stinging sensation when the laser pulse is delivered.

How long will the treatment take?

Treatment time should be 15 to 30 minutes but may vary depending on the number and size of the vessel(s) to be treated.

How many treatments will I need?

In many cases, significant improvement is realized in as few as 1 to 3 treatments. In some cases other spider veins may appear, therefore, additional treatments may be necessary. Treatments are at 8-week intervals.

Is it safe?

Complications are rare. Occasionally, skin darkening or bruising may occur. It is advisable to wear sunblock when in the sun during the month following laser treatment.

Are there any side effects?

Side effects are minimal and are generally limited to a slight redness of the skin, which should not persist for more than a few hours. Sometimes there is bruising or darkening of the vessel from areas of accumulated blood, but this generally fades over a few weeks. If any of these areas are lumpy or painful, we will examine you in a week and remove these if needed. Rarely there may be matting (extremely fine, superficial vessels) that appears as a result of treatment, but these generally fade over a few months, or may be further treated.

What results can I expect?

The treated vessels will gradually fade. Results are gradual and can take up to 8 weeks.

Is it permanent?

Yes. Destroyed vessels should not re-appear. As you age, other vessels may appear, sometimes in the same area treated. At Medical Aesthetics of New England, PC, we photograph the areas treated to provide documentation of effectiveness.

When can I resume normal activities?

Although we encourage you to resume normal activities almost immediately, we do ask that you refrain from vigorous exercise and avoid hot tubs for at least 24 hours post treatment. Also avoid direct sun exposure after treatment and if you do go in the sun, protect the treated area with a minimum SPF 30 sunblock.

Are support hose needed for laser vein treatments?

Usually support hose are not needed, but they won’t hurt the healing process. If you wish to wear them, that would be fine. If we combine sclerotherapy with laser vein removal, then support hose are usually recommended.

What will the laser do to the veins?

When treating vascular lesions, the blood temperature at the targeted vessel is elevated to a level that causes coagulation without damage to the epidermis or surrounding tissue. Because the laser energy is absorbed by melanin in the epidermis as well as the desired target of hemoglobin, the SmartCool system is used to cool and protect the epidermis. Multiple treatments may be necessary to obtain a satisfactory response for some leg veins.

Can I still wear make-up?

Yes, you can re-apply make-up immediately after the procedure

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