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Laser Choices for Spider Vein Treatment

Everyone wants beautiful, unblemished legs. Spider veins can be unsightly blemishes on anyone's legs and can occur at any age. They may be caused by many things including pregnancy, weight gain, binding clothing, sun exposure and prolonged sitting or standing. Heredity also plays a role in whether a person develops spider veins. According to the "Vein Directory," women are four times more likely than men to develop them. Spider veins do not usually require medical attention (see References). Most people choose to remove them for cosmetic purposes. Laser treatments have been developed to treat this condition.

  1. Nd YAG Laser

    • When treating spider veins, the most commonly used laser is the Nd YAG laser system. This system has a hand-held component. The unit has a cooling tip to help alleviate heating that results in discomfort for the patient. The laser is set so that it travels through the skin without harming it and travels inside to heat the blood within the small vessels. This heating coagulates the blood, which causes the blood vessel to collapse. Eventually, this will heal as the body's own system does away with the coagulated blood. The visible spider vein will disappear. These new-generation laser systems allow such a precise delivery that no surrounding tissue is harmed.

    Pulse Dye Laser

    • The Pulsed Dye Laser is used for many types of skin conditions primarily made up of blood and blood vesselsm according to Johns Hopkins Medical Center (see References). Spider veins are one of the skin conditions the laser is commonly used for. This laser emits a beam of light at a specified wave length. It works in much the same way as the Nd YAG Laser. After healing, the veins will no longer be apparent.

    What to Expect

    • The doctor will make the decision as to which laser system is most appropriate for your spider veins. Laser treatment is done in a doctor's office and most treatments take 15 to 20 minutes. Pain medication is not usually administered. A topical analgesic can be administered if necessary. Patients report a popping sensation such as being popped with a rubber band. There is no down-time after the procedure; the patient may return to normal activities immediately. A series of treatment is usually required. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the spider veins. It is recommended to protect the area treated with the laser from sunlight with a SPF30 lotion.

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