A laser is a highly focused beam of light.
Laser Vascular Removal Treatments
A laser is a highly focused beam of light. A doctor may use a laser to treat veins. Laser heat damages a vessel, which creates scar tissue. This scar tissue closes the vessel. A closed vessel loses its blood supply and dies. After a year or two, the vein is likely to disappear.
Simple laser vein treatment is performed on the outer part of your skin. It can treat spider veins and tiny varicose veins just below the skin surface. Usually more than one laser session is needed. They are scheduled every 6 to 12 weeks as prescribed by your doctor. If you have poor circulation feeding these small vessels, the larger “feeder” vessel should be treated first with surgery, endovenous laser or radiofrequency therapy, or sclerotherapy.
Endovenous laser therapy can treat larger veins in the legs. A laser fiber is passed through a thin tube into the vein. While doing this, the doctor watches the vein on the duplex ultrasound screen. Laser is less painful and has a shorter recovery time than venipuncture and stripping. Only local anesthesia or a mild sedative is required for laser treatment.
What to Expect After Treatment
You will be able to walk following treatment and recovery is usually short. You can probably return to your normal daily routine after simple laser treatment.
You will wear compression stockings for 1 week or longer after endovenous laser treatment. For follow-up, your doctor will use duplex ultrasound to make sure the vein is closed.
Why is it done?
Simple laser treatment is performed for small spider veins and tiny varicose veins. This is sometimes a second treatment step after a larger varicose has been treated with surgery, endovenous laser or radiofrequency therapy, or sclerotherapy.
Endovenous laser therapy is used to close a larger varicose vein rather than using surgery to remove it.
How Well Does It Work?
Simple laser therapy has become quite safe and effective over the past 20 years. Endovenous laser therapy closes approximately 94 out of 100 times.
If the endovenous laser treatment does not close the vein, you will need a second treatment. Depending on what’s available in your area, you may have a choice between another laser treatment, radiofrequency treatment, or sclerotherapy. In some cases, vascular surgery is recommended.
Risks
- Side effects of laser treatment may include skin burns or skin discoloration.
- You may experience burning, pain or tingling sensation after healing from nerve damage.
- Small or large blood clots may be seen in the vein or deep vein.