Laser therapy can be very effective in treating unsightly broken and dilated vessels as well as other unwanted vascular lesions, such as spider veins, rosacea, port wine stains and other vascular birthmarks. In fact, the latest advances in laser technology have made it safer, faster and more effective than any previous treatment for these conditions.

Lasers work by emitting a specialized light that is passed through the skin and preferentially absorbed by its target, be it an unwanted hair, birthmark, tattoo or the hemoglobin (the red portion of blood) in the unwanted vessels. The laser causes the vein to break up and disappear.

Spider veins can occur on any area of the body, but are most common on the legs and face. While spider veins can occur in both men and women, they are more prevalent in females and it seems that the hormones estrogen and progesterone play a role in their development. Changes in body chemistry due to puberty, birth control pills, menopause, and hormone therapy can bring them on. Constrictive clothing, such as tight hosiery and girdles can also cause spider vein development. Spider veins on the face can result from too much sun exposure.

Smaller leg veins (up to 3 mm—about 1/8 inch) may respond well to lasers and laser-like devices. Sclerotherapy may be more appropriate for treating some larger veins. Even larger veins are surgically removed in a process known as ambulatory phlebectomy. Your physician will assess your specific situation and determine which treatment mode will yield the best results.

Most people describe the laser treatment as feeling like a rubber band snap. You may be given a topical anesthetic cream to numb the area to be treated. Any discomfort can be eased with the application of cool compresses. After treatment, you can immediately return to normal activities. Other treatments may require some downtime.

Because laser vein treatment works by causing the unwanted vein to break up and dissolve, resolution of the unwanted vein will take place over the course of several weeks to months.

The most common side effect is bruising, or purpura, around the treated area. This will resolve within days of the treatment, and occurs only with some lasers used. Your physician will be happy to discuss any other risks of laser surgery with you personally.

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a procedure used for the removal of spider veins too large for either sclerotherapy or laser vein removal. The advantage of ambulatory phlebectomy is that it can effectively remove larger varicose veins. It is performed as an in-office procedure using local anesthesia. Incisions are generally tiny which minimizes scarring, and normal activities can be resumed in a short period of time.

Will Insurance Cover This Procedure? Laser vein treatments, like other cosmetic procedures, are usually not covered by your insurance company. If you have any questions, it is best to talk with your provider.