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During your treatment, light energy is delivered through a special laser hand piece to the targeted vein, in a series of brief  pulses. The light energy is absorbed by the blood vessels, but not the surrounding tissue. This heat absorption causes a coagulation of the blood vessel. Over the next few weeks your body will naturally absorb and metabolize the treated blood cells and the vein will disappear.
Prior to treatment we will review your medical history to determine how long you have had a problem with your veins and the severity of the problem. We need to determine your skin type and if there has been  any prior surgery or treatment on your veins. We may test to determine if there are any underlying venous problems. If there are, further testing may be advised before laser vein therapy is attempted.
FAQ: Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
Frequently Asked Questions > Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
These are some of the common symptoms of varicose veins:
- Aching pain in legs
- Easily tired legs
- Leg heaviness
- Swelling in the legs
- Numbness in the legs
- Itching or irritated rash in the legs
What are varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged swollen veins that can be either deep in the legs or raised and just beneath the skin. Most commonly varicose veins are found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg.
Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.
What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
No one really knows what causes varicose (vericose) veins. In some cases, its defective valves or a weakness in the vein’s walls which allows blood to flow backward and pool in the vessel. This can create a bulge under the skin or deep in the leg. These incompetent veins are called Varicose Veins.
It appears to be hereditary and related to female hormones — which is why women are more than three times as likely to suffer from the problem as men. Pregnancy and birth control pills can further increase the risk. Additionally, advancing age, added pressure due to obesity or standing still for long periods of time can make veins more vulnerable.
How common are varicose leg veins?
Nearly 50 to 60% of American women and 40 to 45% of American men suffer from some form of vein problem. Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people age 50 and older.
Who usually has varicose veins and spider veins?
There are many factors that increase a person's chances of developing varicose or spider veins. These include:
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy
- Increasing Age
- Having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein valves
- Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also increase the risk of varicose or spider veins
- Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing and other things that weaken vein valves
- Sun exposure, which can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person
Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs?
Gravity , the pressure of body weight, and the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart make legs the primary location for varicose and spider veins. Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart. Leg veins endure the most pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the veins' one-way valves.
Are varicose veins and spider veins painful or dangerous?
Spider veins usually do not need medical treatment. But varicose veins usually enlarge and worsen over time. Severe varicose veins can cause health problems. These include:
- Severe vein insufficiency can cause bulging painful veins close to the surface of the skin that are susceptible to cuts and scrapes. These wounds are very difficult to heal and can severely compromise ones health. This condition can cause blood clots and severe infections. Blood clots can be very dangerous because they can move from leg veins and travel to the lungs.
- Sores or skin ulcers can occur on skin tissue around varicose veins.
- Ongoing irritation, swelling and painful rashes of the legs.
How can I prevent varicose veins and spider veins?
Not all varicose and spider veins can be prevented. But some things can reduce your chances of getting new varicose and spider veins. These same things can help ease discomfort from the ones you already have:
- Wear Sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
- Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running or swimming.
- Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
- Do not cross your legs when sitting.
- Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.
- Do not stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk every 30 minutes.
How are varicose and spider veins treated?
- Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)
- Endovenous chemical ablation (EVCA)
- Foam sclerotherapy
- Vein light sclerotherapy
Endovenous Laser Techniques
These methods for treating the deeper varicose veins of the legs (the saphenous veins) have been a huge breakthrough. They have replaced surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins. This technique is not very invasive and can be done in a doctor’s office.
The doctor puts a very small tube called a catheter into the vein. Once inside, the catheter sends out radio frequency or laser energy that shrinks and seals the vein wall. Healthy veins around the closed vein restore the normal flow of blood. As this happens, symptoms from the varicose vein improve. Veins on the surface of the skin that are connected to the treated varicose vein will also usually shrink after treatment. When needed, these connected varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy or other techniques.
Sclerotherapy
This is the most common treatment for both spider veins and varicose veins. The doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes the vein walls to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This stops the flow of blood and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once.
This treatment is very effective if done the right way. Most patients can expect a 50% to 90% improvement. Micro-sclerotherapy uses special solutions and injection techniques that increase the success rate for removal of spider veins. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia, and can be done in the doctor's office.
Possible side effects include:
- Temporary stinging or painful cramps where the injection was made
- Temporary red raised patches of skin where the injection was made
- Temporary small skin sores where the injection was made
- Temporary bruises where the injection was made
- Spots around the treated vein that usually disappear
- Brown lines around the treated vein that usually disappear
- Groups of fine red blood vessels around the treated vein that usually disappear
The treated vein can also become inflamed or develop lumps of clotted blood. This is not dangerous. Applying heat and taking aspirin or antibiotics can relieve inflammation. Lumps of coagulated blood can be drained.
Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?
Current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical treatments. Over a period of years, however, more abnormal veins can develop. The major reason for this is that there is no cure for weak vein valves. So with time, pressure gradually builds up in the leg veins. Ultrasound can be used to keep track of how badly the valves are leaking (venous insufficiency). Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.
The single most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible during the day.
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